Macron Orders Infrastructure Protection Amid Intensifying Russian Hybrid Attacks

French President Emmanuel Macron warned Friday that the threat of hybrid attacks by Russia against Europe and France has intensified.

Speaking at a news conference at the Elysee Palace, Macron said he ordered a plan to protect critical infrastructure and defense industry sites. He stated France had been targeted by Russian hybrid attacks in recent weeks, which would not be left without a response. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez later said on X that all relevant state services and local stakeholders would be mobilized to face these new threats.

Macron mentioned last month's drone attack on Leipzig airport in Germany, blamed on Russia, and remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggesting Russia was planning drone and missile strikes against Poland and other countries on NATO's eastern flank. Macron said the intent is to intimidate and break efforts to support Ukraine, but the result will be the exact opposite.

He emphasized that France is not intimidated because its security is at stake in Ukraine. Separately, Russia summoned Britain's charge d'affairs, Danae Dholakia, on Friday, issuing a formal protest over the UK's further increase in weapons to Ukraine. Macron also announced his intention to convene a G7 meeting devoted to energy issues in the coming weeks, citing soaring fuel prices amid the US-Iran war and blockages in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.