Ukraine is warning European governments that Moscow is expanding what officials describe as a coordinated hybrid war designed to destabilise the continent through cyberattacks, political influence operations and energy pressure. The assessment comes from Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko, who said Russia is no longer limiting its campaign to the battlefield but increasingly targeting European institutions and public confidence.

In a video statement, Goncharenko argued that Europe is now facing the most aggressive phase of Moscow’s hybrid strategy since the start of the war in 2022. He referenced patterns of coordinated cyber intrusions, disinformation networks, and attempts to manipulate political discourse across several EU states, noting that these efforts form part of a wider Kremlin playbook aimed at exhausting European unity.

European intelligence agencies have previously identified Russian-backed activity across multiple sectors, including cyber incidents targeting government servers, pro-Kremlin influence campaigns on social media and disruptions in energy supply chains. Analysts say many of these activities fall below the threshold of conventional warfare but are designed to weaken institutions, amplify political divisions and limit Europe’s ability to support Ukraine.

Goncharenko’s warning comes at a moment when several European governments are already grappling with heightened domestic tensions, polarised politics and the financial strain of ongoing support for Kyiv. Ukrainian officials argue that Russia views these vulnerabilities as opportunities and is intensifying efforts to exploit them ahead of upcoming elections in parts of Europe.

Hybrid warfare, which blends cyber operations, propaganda, economic pressure and covert intelligence activity, has long been part of Moscow’s strategic toolkit. But Kyiv says the scale and coordination of current operations mark a significant escalation, suggesting the Kremlin is seeking to reshape the European security environment while avoiding direct confrontation with NATO.

European leaders have acknowledged the risk. Several EU states have expanded cybersecurity protocols, issued warnings about foreign interference and introduced new measures to counter hostile information campaigns. Brussels has also pushed for deeper intelligence sharing among member states to track and neutralise cross-border threats.

For Kyiv, the message is that Europe can no longer view hybrid attacks as peripheral events. Ukrainian officials say these operations are part of a broader offensive aimed at weakening support for Ukraine and undermining the continent’s resilience. The warning signals a growing belief in Kyiv that Russia’s next phase of conflict will increasingly unfold in European capitals as much as on the front line.