Bomb threats disrupt five European airports, with Russia suspected
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Atlantic Council Africa Center
In early November, bomb threats disrupted the airports of Rome, Copenhagen, Prague, Warsaw and Lisbon, while cyberattacks hit the frozen-food sections of European supermarkets. Security services are investigating whether Russia is behind the incidents, with no proof at this stage, according to the Atlantic Council.
Bomb threats disrupted air traffic in five European cities in early November: Rome, Copenhagen, Prague, Warsaw and Lisbon, according to the Atlantic Council, a US think tank. Media outlets, including Irish broadcaster RTÉ and Sky News, received similar threats.
European security and intelligence services are trying to establish whether Russia is behind the incidents. A series of cyberattacks targeting the frozen-food sections of European supermarkets caused millions of dollars in damage and temporary supply tensions. Experts see the hallmark of Russian hybrid warfare in them, but cannot confirm it.
According to the Atlantic Council, Europeans may never be able to prove Moscow’s involvement. It says Russia is using strengthened cyber capabilities, criminal intermediaries and disposable agents recruited on Telegram to maintain plausible deniability. This method also allows it to get around the mass expulsion of conventional Russian agents from Western countries.
Russia’s hybrid war against Europe has been going on since 2014 and has intensified since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These incidents come as Russia, Ukraine and the United States negotiate in Abu Dhabi, without Europe.
