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Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, says Europe is finally beginning to recognise what Kyiv has long warned about: Russian aggression is increasingly manifesting itself through hybrid warfare, and it goes well beyond the Baltics.
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“Central European states … see and feel the manifestations of Russian aggressive acts embodied in hybrid operations,” he told Euronews on the sidelines of the Riga Conference on Thursday.
Budanov, a former military intelligence chief, said Russia follows a playbook that begins with “special information operations and propaganda” and culminates in “operations of a different nature”, including serious incidents at defence industry enterprises, “at airfields, at railways”.
“I hope that change is happening, and it will continue to happen, and that everybody understands now who we’re dealing with,” he said.
His comments came after Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal recently said an arson attack on a defence contractor may be linked to Russia, although the incident remains under investigation.
The German government has also formally attributed an explosive-laden drone discovered at an airport in Leipzig to Russia.
Pointing the finger at Moscow in early August, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said its actions formed part of a “long series of attempts at destabilisation, disinformation, threats, sabotage and aggression directed at Europe”.
Earlier, CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a surprise trip to Moscow, flying through Riga. His visit sparked speculation over what intelligence had prompted Washington to send its spy chief — and whether the Baltics should be concerned.
Estonia and Latvia said they would remain vigilant, but that their assessment of the Russian threat had not changed. Reports suggested Ratcliffe may also have pressed Moscow over its support for Iran amid the conflict with the US.
Asked whether the Baltic nations were playing down the seriousness of Ratcliffe’s visit and other apparent warnings, Budanov said: “Baltic nations receive all the necessary information, and all the allies remain in constant information exchange on this matter.”
“This threat will remain a potential threat. You should keep in mind the experiences of our country,” he said.
At a panel discussion, Budanov told the audience that “no one in the world has the kind of military experience that Ukraine — and Russia — have”, adding that Kyiv is ready to share its experience with European countries.
“If you don’t want to deal with Russia — deal with us,” he told the Riga Conference.
“The experience that we have is very expensive in terms of blood and money. So save your blood and save your money, and use our experience.”
