The Russian hybrid threat to Europe is real and supported by intelligence assessments, prompting France to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure and defence companies involved in supporting Ukraine.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said this on BFMTV.
“Most European intelligence services, and of course our French services, have identified this threat of Russian hybrid warfare. The attack in Leipzig was not invented. Flights over certain European airports were not invented. Such incidents occurred again this weekend, and we are frequently involved in counter-drone operations. Sabotage is not invented either,” Nuñez said.
He noted that France has not so far recorded large-scale acts of sabotage or flights by unidentified drones, although the country is regularly targeted by cyberattacks.
“What is happening in Europe concerns us as well. This threat is therefore real, it is documented, and all European intelligence services are reaching the same conclusions. Downplaying this threat is irresponsible,” the Interior Minister stressed.
According to Nuñez, the French authorities are already implementing a plan to protect critical infrastructure. Particular attention is also being paid to defence industry companies involved in supporting Ukraine.
“We know that hybrid warfare, particularly that conducted by Russia, targets our infrastructure networks and our defence industrial base — the very same industrial base that provides support to Ukraine,” Nuñez said.
The Interior Minister said that, on the instructions of the president and prime minister, he and Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin held a meeting last week with the prefects of France’s defence and security zones and military commanders.
France has already drawn up a list of strategic facilities requiring enhanced protection. Operators of these facilities are implementing their own security measures, law enforcement agencies are conducting additional patrols, and intelligence services maintain direct contact with company management.
“Previously, we mainly talked about cyberattacks. Now we are also talking about potential attacks on strategic facilities,” the French Interior Minister said.
