Russia to escalate hybrid attacks on NATO, Danish intelligence warns

Denmark's military intelligence service expects Russia to intensify "hybrid attacks" against Western countries and NATO members in the coming months, according to its annual assessment released Thursday. The Danish Defense Intelligence Service (FE) says these attacks will become more frequent and cause "greater consequences" than before. It warns of "destructive cyberattacks that paralyze critical social functions, as well as acts of sabotage that carry a high risk of causing casualties." "Hybrid attacks" refer to actions that fall below the threshold of open military conflict, such as cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation campaigns. The report also cites a "growing" but still "low" risk that Russia will carry out "limited military attacks" against NATO countries, especially those sharing a border with Russia. "A limited military attack would be a desperate measure by Russia and, like intensified hybrid attacks, could occur in the coming months," the FE analysis states. The goal would be to divert European resources meant to support Ukraine and to sow division within NATO if the alliance fails to agree on a collective response. FE chief Thomas Ahrenkiel told a press conference: "It is unlikely that Russia will launch a real invasion of a NATO country, but we can no longer rule it out." Separately, the Danish Agency for Security announced Thursday it has raised its threat level for a destructive cyberattack from medium to high. "Russia is waging a hybrid war against the West and is taking increasing risks. That is why we have raised the threat level," the agency said in a statement.