France’s domestic intelligence chief has warned that the country must prepare for the possibility of more violent hostile acts on its territory as foreign interference and hybrid warfare intensify across Europe.
Céline Berthon, director-general of France’s DGSI security service, pointed to the recent discovery of an explosive device near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig Airport in Germany. The airport is an important logistics hub for military equipment being transported to Ukraine.
Speaking at a major business gathering in Paris, Berthon said the incident should serve as a warning that hostile actions could become more direct and violent.
German authorities are still investigating the failed attack and have not publicly attributed responsibility. While Berthon did not directly link the Leipzig incident to Russia, she described Moscow’s increasingly aggressive posture as a major concern.
She said France had experienced a sharp rise in interference since 2022, including symbolic acts, vandalism and disinformation campaigns attributed to Russia-linked networks.
According to Berthon, these activities form part of a broader conflict that falls short of conventional warfare but nevertheless targets European societies and national security.
via Politico
