Russia is stepping up its hybrid attacks to destabilise society in the Netherlands and other European countries, according to the Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD. On Tuesday, the agency revealed that Russian hackers have already targeted the Dutch public service. In its annual report, MIVD director Peter Reesink stated, “We see the Russian threat against Europe is increasing, including after a possible end to the war against Ukraine.” He added, “The conflict in the grey zone between war and peace has become a reality. More and more, state actors try to undermine our society with hybrid attacks. Russia, especially … is increasingly prepared to take risks.”

The MIVD revealed that, for the first time, it had uncovered a cyberattack by Russian hackers targeting the digital systems of an unnamed Dutch public service last year. It also discovered a Russian cyber operation aimed at critical infrastructure in the Netherlands, which may have been intended as groundwork for future sabotage.

Hybrid threats can include a wide range of actions, from physically damaging key infrastructure to spreading false information.

The MIVD said these kinds of attacks blend classic espionage tactics with cyber operations and efforts to influence or destabilise society. The agency again warned that Russian groups are surveying infrastructure in the North Sea for potential spying, along with sabotage targeting internet cables, water systems, and energy supplies.

In November, Britain’s top foreign intelligence official accused Russia of carrying out an extremely reckless sabotage campaign across Europe, involving everything from repeated cyberattacks to arson linked to Moscow. Russia’s Moscow has rejected all such claims, calling them unfounded and lacking evidence.