Denmark warns of increased risk of Russian hybrid warfare in NATO nations

NATO member states have repeatedly faced cyberattacks, sabotage, and espionage, leading intelligence agencies in Denmark to warn of an increased risk of Russian hybrid warfare. The term “hybrid warfare” gained prominence after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, describing a blend of conventional and unconventional tactics.

NATO has established that hybrid attacks could invoke Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all. However, NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg clarified that they are not at that point currently and emphasized ongoing countermeasures against Russian threats.

Article 5, known as the “mutual defense clause,” was last activated following the September 11 attacks in 2001. Stoltenberg noted that various NATO countries, including the UK, Germany, and the Baltic nations, have experienced Russian actions categorized as hybrid warfare, but they do not meet the threshold for a collective NATO response.

Stoltenberg refrained from specifying when hybrid warfare would be severe enough to trigger Article 5, stating that NATO would not allow Russia to define its limits. He highlighted that the ultimate decision for military action lies with the United States. Experts contend that clearly defining a boundary could allow adversaries to exploit it, making the situation politically sensitive.

Hybrid warfare employs both military and non-military tactics, such as misinformation and cyber operations, to create chaos and distrust. In response, Stoltenberg urged NATO members to strengthen defenses and share intelligence more effectively, particularly concerning critical infrastructure.

Denmark has raised its threat level for cyberattacks in light of these developments. Stoltenberg noted that while NATO takes Russia’s hybrid activities seriously, there are no indications of a military attack against any member state. He reiterated that NATO countries possess significant capabilities to counter such actions, emphasizing the importance of cooperation among allies.