Macron warns of rising Russian hybrid attacks on Europe: France preparing defense plan

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the threat of hybrid attacks by Russia against Europe and France has intensified.

At a press conference at the Élysée Palace, Macron said he had asked the French government to prepare a plan to protect critical infrastructure and defense industry sites against this threat.

He said France had been targeted by Russian hybrid attacks in recent weeks, which would not go “unanswered.”

A growing number of European leaders have warned that Russia may be preparing attacks to test their commitment to supporting Ukraine.

The French president was speaking to reporters after a meeting with party leaders to discuss the security impact of the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Macron cited last month’s drone attack at Leipzig airport in Germany, blamed on Russia, and the comments of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggesting Russia was planning drone and missile attacks against Poland and other countries on NATO’s eastern flank.

“In recent weeks, the Russian hybrid threat against Europeans and against France has intensified. The aim is to frighten us and break our efforts to support Ukraine. The result will be quite the opposite. We are not afraid because we know that our security today and tomorrow is at stake in Ukraine,” he said.

Macron added that the government had been tasked with protecting critical infrastructure and the most “sensitive” defense industry and technology sites against cyberattacks and drones.

He also announced that France would convene a G7 meeting to discuss energy and raise the issue of gas reserves with the European Commission.

“In the coming weeks, we will have a G7 meeting dedicated to these energy issues, both to strengthen cooperation and to avoid unnecessary tensions between G7 countries and our key partners,” Macron said.

“It will also be an opportunity to examine options for a possible release or unlocking of strategic reserves,” the French president added.