{
  "id": 5368021,
  "title": "Europe struggles to respond as Russia escalates shadow warfare",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/europe-struggles-to-respond-as-russia-escalates-shadow-warfare-5368021",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T15:45:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/03/europe-struggles-to-respond-as-russia-escalates-shadow-warfare"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, European allies of Kyiv have been targeted by hybrid attacks from Moscow. These attacks, though falling short of full-scale conflict, have included drone flights near sensitive sites, airspace violations, cyberattacks, and suspected assassination plots. Despite these threats, European allies are struggling to devise effective countermeasures. Denmark's intelligence agency warned that Russia is actively preparing sabotage operations against its defense industry. France's top domestic spy, Celine Berthon, stated that French companies could also be at risk after discovering an explosive-laden drone at a German airport in August. Berlin has blamed Russia for the incident, leading EU countries to summon Russia's envoys and discuss imposing fresh sanctions. However, analysts argue that traditional measures such as exposing spies and diplomatic reprisals have been ineffective. Andrei Soldatov, a London-based expert on Russian security services, stated that Western tools are outdated and that a shift in mindset is necessary. He emphasized the need for a systematic effort to improve intelligence-sharing across European agencies and a willingness to escalate pressure on the Kremlin. The US Congressional Research Service noted that Russia's intelligence agencies have demonstrated flexibility in adapting to European responses, but Western nations have been reluctant to impose additional costs on Russia due to fear of provoking further escalation. Experts warn that the risks of hybrid warfare escalation are largely undefined, increasing the potential for mass casualty events.",
  "summary": "European intelligence chiefs fear Russia’s war in Ukraine is increasingly causing security threats and attacks on European soil.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Europe struggles to respond as Russia escalates shadow warfare",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/europe-struggles-to-respond-as-russia-escalates-shadow-warfare",
        "published": "2026-09-03T15:45:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}