The Russian military is employing hybrid warfare tactics, including surveillance, airspace violations, and digital intrusions, particularly affecting European nations like Lithuania. A notable example is German soldier Joshua Krebs’s experience, where a phone call replayed his previous conversation, highlighting coercive surveillance tactics.
European militaries, including Germany’s Bundeswehr, have faced similar threats, with drones reportedly spying on key defense systems and military exercises. An incident in October 2025 saw Russian fighter jets briefly enter Lithuanian airspace, provoking condemnation from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and raising security concerns in the Baltic region, where NATO provides air protection.
Hybrid warfare operates in a legal gray area, complicating responses to provocations and making liability hard to attribute. For instance, when Russian border guards crossed into Estonian NATO territory, the response was limited to diplomatic channels without further escalation. These actions are often viewed more as psychological tactics than direct military threats, echoing the “little green man” phenomenon from Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
International law complicates responses to hybrid actions, as they do not necessarily qualify as armed attacks. Each situation requires case-by-case assessment under various legal frameworks, emphasizing the importance of clear definitions and appropriate responses to hybrid threats.
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