Denmark warns of Russia’s hybrid warfare footprint
Denmark’s defense and intelligence community has issued a stark warning: Russia is behind a range of hybrid threats aimed at Western democracies. In a recent press briefing, the Danish intelligence chief stated that Moscow has conducted sabotage operations, including cyberattacks against Western nations. The assessment is that Russia is testing Western defenses by deploying a large number of drones to Poland, designed to probe responses and resilience. The implications are clear: hybrid warfare is evolving, and Western nations must adapt.
Hybridity, drones, and the gray zone
The official described Russia’s approach as a vivid example of hybrid warfare—the use of plausible deniability, intermediaries, and non-military pressure to sow doubt and fear. He stressed that Russia may be prepared to intervene if allied efforts to block its shadow fleet from passing are successful. A Russian warship is reported to be sailing south of Langeland and could be tasked with enabling these disruptive moves. “This is a war in the gray zone. They use intermediaries who claim to be activists, criminals, or something else,” he said, highlighting how Moscow seeks to blur lines between war and peace, conflict and negotiation.
A test for Poland and a broader signal
According to the assessment, the drone activity directed at Poland is not merely a test of a neighboring country’s defenses. It signals a broader strategy to gauge the alliance’s readiness and to pressure Western decision-makers. As analysts warn, such hybrid provocations are designed to be deniable, creating ambiguity about intent while expanding the space in which Russia can operate without triggering a conventional war response.
The gray zone in action: what it means for Lithuania to North Atlantic security
While the intelligence chief stopped short of predicting a full-scale invasion, the message is unequivocal: expect more hybrid attacks—cyber intrusions, sabotage, information operations, and other non-traditional mechanisms that can be deployed quickly and with plausible deniability. This approach, he argued, is “the DNA” of hybrid warfare, and it aims to foster fear and erode public trust in institutions. The objective is to create a perception of imminent danger, regardless of whether a conventional attack materializes, thereby shaping political choices and public sentiment across Europe.
Political resolve: a call for massive rearmament and unity
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen underscored the inevitability of a more sophisticated and persistent hybrid threat in the coming years. He argued that Denmark, together with its European partners and NATO allies, must mount a comprehensive response. “This threat will intensify in the coming years; therefore we must arm ourselves,” the minister said, calling for concrete steps at national, regional, and alliance levels. He contended that security must be strengthened in Denmark, reinforced across Europe, and backed by a united NATO, capable of deterring aggression and upholding shared Western values.
Towards a broader NATO-backed strategy
Poulsen emphasized that the response is not limited to defense budgets alone. It requires a cohesive strategy that strengthens resilience, cyber defense, and intelligence sharing among member states. “Together we can demonstrate our resistance to aggressive behavior and a common threat from Russia,” he stated, framing the challenge as a test of Western solidarity. The government stressed that the drive for a robust deterrent is not an emergency measure but a long-term commitment to preserve freedom and democracy in the region.
What this means for citizens and allies
For ordinary citizens, the discourse centers on protection, transparency, and clarity about threats. For policymakers and allies, the message is a call to action: invest in modernization, strengthen cross-border intelligence cooperation, and maintain a united front against hybrid tactics that bypass traditional military thresholds. The evolving security landscape demands proactive measures, not reactive panic, and a clear reaffirmation of shared values that bind Western democracies together.
