The head of Ukrainian military intelligence explains the three objectives of Russia's hybrid attacks against Europe
Russia's hybrid warfare campaign against Europe – which includes acts of sabotage, cyber attacks, air raids and drone raids – pursues three main goals, Kirilo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), claims in an interview with the Italian publication Il Foglio.
Kirilo Budanov, head of the intelligence services of the Ukrainian army/PHOTO: Profimedia
According to Budanov, these actions are not random and are part of what, in military parlance, is called “reconnaissance by combat” – a strategy designed to test both the reaction of the adversary and the effectiveness of one's own methods.
“Putin is psychologically preparing the population of Russia. He wants to destroy in the minds of Russians the image of a strong, respected Europe. He shows them that Europe is worth nothing”said Budanov.
Testing the West's political and military reflexes
A second goal of Moscow, says the head of the GUR, is a pragmatic one: every drone attack or sabotage incident also has the role of assessing Europe's reaction.
“The Russians are testing your reaction, your ability to make quick decisions, your willingness to use force. At the same time, they are doing reconnaissance: identifying defense systems, how they work and their exact positions”explained Budanov. “It's a double test – political and military.”
The stake: eroding support for Ukraine
The accumulation of these actions – from cyber attacks and sabotage of industrial or railway infrastructure, to drones that violate the airspace of NATO countries – has, in Budanov's opinion, a clear goal: to undermine European public opinion and fuel war fatigue.
“For Russia, it's a double win. If Europeans get fed up with this conflict, aid to Ukraine will decrease. At the same time, Moscow is spreading the idea that it's not worth getting involved in a war with Russia. This is actually their internal logic.”emphasized the head of the intelligence services of the Ukrainian army.
The Kremlin raises the stakes
In recent months, Moscow seems to have raised the stakes in its confrontation with the West. Russian drones have crossed Polish airspace, and cyber attacks on European strategic infrastructures have intensified.
why now According to analysts, the Kremlin is trying to compensate for failures on the front by indirect pressure on Europe. “Russia is not only aiming to destroy infrastructure, but also to erode Western solidarity.”
