Language, migration, and drones: Europe warns of Russia’s new war strategy
Photo: Russia rewrites the rules of war (Getty Images)
Russia is using migration and language as weapons against Europe. The overall level of the Russian threat to the European continent is increasing, according to the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, 'Russia: new threats to European democracies.'
"In its current warfare, Russia has rewritten the concept of weaponry. The Assembly has already acknowledged the weaponisation of migration by Russia, and its attempts to destabilise democratic societies by exploiting or amplifying alleged minority grievances and misusing the status of the Russian language. These attacks have also undermined economic resilience and exacerbated societal divisions throughout the continent," reads the resolution, which PACE adopted unanimously.
The document also notes the intensification of Russian hybrid attacks on European countries, in particular through the intrusion of aircraft into the airspace of Council of Europe member states and the appearance of drones near critical infrastructure and military facilities.
"Russia has responded to diplomatic efforts to end its full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine by escalating its attacks," the resolution emphasizes.
In this regard, PACE calls for "non-military responses to violations of airspace and related threats – alongside adequate military responses when needed," as well as the protection of electoral processes from foreign interference and propaganda, assistance to countries that have been the targets of such attacks, etc.
"Russia must be confronted and ultimately defeated," says the author of the resolution, Romanian MP Iulian Bulai, during the debate.
Yesterday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Europe is currently in the most difficult and dangerous situation since World War II.
In her opinion, the current threats are more serious than during the Cold War.
This week in Copenhagen, EU leaders will discuss projects that could change the continent's defense architecture.
Meanwhile, joint maneuvers called Wings of Defense have begun in Denmark, where Ukrainian military personnel are working with Danish forces to practice repelling attacks by Russian strike drones.
