Putin vs. Europe: How Russia Attacks Germany Through Hybrid Warfare and Drones

Berlin and Brussels have long noticed that war is no longer limited to tanks and fronts. The West is living in a new dimension of conflict, as the Kremlin tries to destabilize the political order of the whole of Europe. New statements by Chancellor Friedrich Merz only confirmed the scale: Putin is waging a hybrid war against Germany and the EU, attacking informationally and technically, using drones and fear to put pressure on society. Will Europe withstand this wave, and what are the real risks to democratic stability?

Hybrid attack on all fronts: what did Merz say?

German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz openly stated: Russia has launched not only an information and cyber war against Europe, but also a direct attack using drones and hype on social media. ¹

Putin wants to “turn the political order of Europe upside down,” challenging the standards of open and democratic societies.
“He is waging a war against Ukraine, and this war is directed against all of us,” the Chancellor summarizes.
The Kremlin's main goal is to intimidate, divide, sow fear, and destabilize Western institutions.

Drones over Germany: a new dimension of “intimidation”

In recent months, there has been an increase in drone incidents across Europe, including Germany.
Merz emphasizes: “Russia is behind the flights of many drones spotted over Germany.”
These attacks are not just random events: the Kremlin is actively testing Europe's readiness for hybrid warfare. ¹

Drones have become a tool for psychological pressure, testing defense systems, intimidation, and promoting propaganda.
Russia spreads fear, provokes media debate, incites political disputes — and uses every incident to undermine trust in society.

Information warfare and “fear” as the Kremlin’s key weapon

In addition to drones, the Kremlin actively spreads fake news, disinformation, and conspiracy theories through social media, news portals, and political movements.
The goal is to undermine public trust and create the illusion of the EU's "weakness."
This includes cyberattacks on government systems, interference in election campaigns, support for radicals, and intensification of internal conflicts.

According to Merz, “we will not allow ourselves to be intimidated and will effectively defend ourselves against this threat.”
The German government is strengthening cybersecurity, responding to fake news through partnership programs with the EU and NATO, and strengthening strategic communications.

Europe's response: consolidation and security

Merz emphasizes: “It is in Germany’s interest to defend Europe’s open political order.”
EU countries are jointly strengthening control over drones, cyberattacks, and information threats. ¹
In recent months, Germany has developed new notification systems, mobile cyber defense teams, and analytics centers for rapid response to drone incidents and sabotage.

Cooperation between law enforcement and the army is growing, as is intelligence sharing with France, Poland, and the Baltic countries.

Political context: risks for Europe and Ukraine

The Kremlin's hybrid war puts not only Germany, but also the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, and Ukraine itself, under attack.
From supporting infoweapons in Poland to attacking elections in Slovakia and critical infrastructure in Lithuania, Russia has one goal: to create a “zone of instability” from the Rhine to the Dnieper.
Merz calls Russia “a fierce opponent and enemy of our political order.”
Ukraine's separation from European integration, the split in the EU, the weakening of NATO — all this is in line with Moscow's new hybrid strategy.

Ukraine remains one of the fields of greatest attack: Putin continues to see his victory only in the division of Europe and the successful “right of force” instead of the “right of law.”

The conclusion of a sharp analyst: European harmony is the best protection against Russia's hybrid blackmail

Putin is building his war on a domino effect, where every drone incident or fake news can become a “breaking point” in society.
Europe faces a difficult task: to maintain unity, strengthen communication, respond to information threats — and not lose faith in its own model of democracy.
The unification of democracies is not just a military doctrine, but a response to the historical challenge of the Kremlin's hybrid attacks.

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