In an interview published on December 2, 2025, the former Finnish military intelligence chief stated that Europe can respond to Russian hybrid threats by deploying offensive cyber operations, specifically stating that they can “shut down Putin and his friends' software.” This statement supports current discussions among politicians in Berlin and Brussels advocating for Europe to use hybrid cyber capabilities to counteract Kremlin aggression. The article highlights that many of the software systems targeted originate from the USA, with Europe increasingly developing its own offensive cyber tools. The intelligence veteran stresses that Europe has the necessary technological edge to annoy and disrupt Russian governance and military operations. The broader context involves concerns over Russian hybrid warfare activities in Eastern Europe and calls for a stronger European cyber defense and offense posture to deter future aggression.
Category: Cyber
Country: Germany
Source report: www.n-tv.de/politik/W…
