Grinkevich: Moscow is using hybrid attacks to weaken European support for Ukraine

Russia is combining various forms of hybrid action to undermine the resolve of countries that continue to support Ukraine. Alexis Grinkevich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, issued the warning on Monday during testimony before European lawmakers.

According to him, Moscow’s aim is to create uncertainty, increase pressure on the continent’s governments and ultimately influence their willingness to continue supporting Kyiv.

Grinkevich said the response to this approach should not be retreat, but rather a strengthening of the political will to stand alongside Ukraine.

“If there is a hybrid attack against your country, strengthening the will to support Ukraine will show the Russians that their strategy is not working and may perhaps cause them to abandon this strategy,” he said.

During his address, the NATO commander also stressed the need to publicly attribute responsibility for hybrid attacks. He urged member states, when they have sufficient evidence and a high level of confidence regarding the origin of an attack, to publicly identify the state responsible.

According to Grinkevich, making the perpetrators of these actions public could have a deterrent effect, as it would increase the political cost for the states that plan, support or enable them.

He warned that Ukraine’s allies must avoid any divisions caused by hybrid operations and must not allow these actions to restrict continued assistance to Kyiv.

Grinkevich’s remarks came at a time when concern in Europe over hybrid threats has increased. These include cyberattacks, acts of sabotage and other operations that European governments and security services have, in various cases, linked to Russia or to networks suspected of acting in its interests.