‘Russian threat against Europe rising’: Netherlands facing Moscow's hybrid attacks, says Dutch intel agency

Russia has ramped up hybrid attacks aimed at undermining Dutch society and its European allies, the Netherlands’ military intelligence agency warned Tuesday (April 22), revealing that Russian hackers had already targeted a public service in the country in an attempted act of cyber sabotage.

The Netherlands’ Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) said in its annual report that Russian operations against European targets were intensifying and would likely persist, even after a potential end to the war in Ukraine.

“We see the Russian threat against Europe is increasing, including after a possible end to the war against Ukraine,” said MIVD director Peter Reesink.

The agency disclosed that a Russian cyberattack attempted to gain control over an unspecified Dutch public service. “It was thwarted, but it was the first time,” Reesink said. The MIVD did not identify which service had been targeted but confirmed the action constituted a notable escalation.

In addition, the MIVD said it had detected a Russian cyber operation directed at critical infrastructure in the Netherlands, possibly intended as preparation for future sabotage efforts. The move aligns with broader Western concerns about Moscow’s use of hybrid warfare, which combines cyberattacks, disinformation, espionage and the physical sabotage of essential systems.

The agency repeated its prior warnings about Russian activities in the North Sea, where entities linked to Moscow have reportedly been mapping undersea infrastructure. Such reconnaissance is believed to be linked to potential acts of sabotage against internet cables, energy supplies and water infrastructure.

In November, Britain’s foreign intelligence chief similarly accused Russia of conducting a “staggeringly reckless campaign” across Europe, citing repeated cyberattacks and incidents of arson. Moscow has consistently denied responsibility for these actions.

China also flagged as growing threat

Beyond Russia, the MIVD also highlighted China as a persistent security concern, citing its continued backing of Russia’s war effort and its hostile posture towards Taiwan.

The intelligence report noted that Beijing was actively seeking to acquire sensitive Western technology through both investments and cyber espionage, with a particular focus on the Dutch semiconductor industry.

According to the MIVD, Chinese cyber espionage last year proved “more extensive than initially thought,” targeting Western governments and defence contractors.

Reesink echoed warnings from European counterparts about the need for accelerated military preparedness across the continent.

“If you look at the speed at which Russia is increasing its military complex, its equipment, its artillery, it’s by far much faster than we do in Europe, even in the US. So that creates a sort of window of vulnerability for us,” he said.

He stressed that Europe must “speed up and make sure that we have the same pace as they have to at least be deterrent enough.”

With inputs from agencies