Europe is facing a sharp rise in sabotage, drone incursions, and other hybrid attacks, Italian defense minister Guido Crosetto has said—yet EU and NATO countries are still reacting far too slowly.
Crosetto issued the warning on Tuesday in a 125-page report, Countering Hybrid Warfare: An Active Strategy, arguing that Europe faces “daily and growing risks of catastrophic damage” as hybrid operations intensify.
Crosetto criticized the “inertia” of European and NATO institutions, arguing that slow, consensus-driven decision-making leaves Europe exposed.
The hybrid threats include sabotage, disinformation campaigns, and actions targeting infrastructure, decision-making centers, and essential services, with some attacks allegedly linked to Russia.
“We are under attack and the hybrid bombs continue to fall: The time to act is now,” he wrote. According to Crosetto, the West’s limited response to the attacks is “absurd” and “unsustainable.”
In recent weeks, Europe has faced a series of incidents that highlight the growing challenges posed by hybrid threats. On November 17th, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk visited the site of a blast on a railway line, saying the damage appeared deliberate and likely aimed at derailing a train. Investigators are also examining a second incident that occurred on the same line on Sunday.
Poland’s rail network is vital for military supply lines to Ukraine, and for civilian travel. Warsaw believes two Ukrainians with links to Russia were behind the “unprecedented acts of sabotage.”
Concerns have also emerged in Romania. On November 19th, the country scrambled jets after detecting a drone incursion near the Ukrainian border. The Romanian defense ministry later confirmed the incident, adding it to a series of recent airspace violations.
Drone sightings and airspace intrusions have disrupted daily life across Europe. Belgium was forced to close the airspace above Brussels and Liège on November 4th, grounding flights for hours. In Germany, Bremen Airport suspended operations on November 2nd after a drone sighting, with Munich Airport and Berlin also facing shutdowns. Similar incidents have occurred in Denmark, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Estonia.
In September, EU member states discussed plans for a ‘drone wall’ in response to Russian incursions.
Crosetto proposed measures to counter Russian hybrid attacks, including a European Center for Countering Hybrid Warfare, a cyber force of 1,500, and specialized military staff.
