Suspicion that Russia is already engaged in covert warfare against the West was heightened recently when the German Navy announced it had discovered acts of sabotage on more than one vessel. A corvette-class ship was discovered to have had several kilograms of metal shavings poured into its engines in the Hamburg shipyard, which would have caused serious damage. Other break-ins and even attempts to approach uniformed personnel were also mentioned. “The growing threat from Russia is more urgent at the beginning of 2025 than it was two years ago,” the German Naval inspector said.
Germany says its warships were sabotaged as concerns mount that Russia is waging a hybrid war
Other troubling events include Finland seizing an oil tanker believed to be cutting cables in the Baltic sea, which has happened several times in recent months. And just like the mystery drones in New Jersey, there have been waves of drone sightings in continental Europe and the United Kingdom over bases and nuclear facilities. Though it has had no luck apprehending the operators, Germany says Russia is behind it, and they plan to take action. They also accuse Russia of trying to place concealed explosives packages on trans-Atlantic cargo planes. It is not clear if this was sabotage or smuggling.
Germany Moves to Shoot Down ‘Mystery Drones,’ Points to Russia as Culprit Behind Alarming Incidents
But these are all clear signs that the Second Cold War is becoming hot. Hybrid warfare — fostering instability in enemy countries using both conventional (like blackmail and sabotage) and unconventional (including hacking and malware) means while avoiding outright warfare — has been a main tool of Putin against the West. And it seems to be growing, despite all of Trump’s kowtowing, which actually may be encouraging Putin.
