Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Russia's hybrid sabotage campaign against Europe is intensifying－and cyber operations are playing a growing role.
In this RANE Quick Take, Cyber Intelligence Analyst Hayley Benedict breaks down how Russia-linked hacktivist groups are being used to support a broader campaign of disruption across Europe. From cyber incidents targeting Danish water infrastructure and public websites ahead of elections, to the increasing focus on operational technology and critical infrastructure, these activities highlight a shift beyond traditional cyber tactics like DDoS attacks and website defacements.
Benedict also explores why Russia is likely to sustain, or even escalate this campaign. She outlines scenarios that could raise Russia's risk tolerance, including the potential use of more destructive tools such as data wiper malware, which could cause prolonged and costly disruptions.
RANE is a global risk intelligence company that provides risk and security professionals with critical insights and analysis to more efficiently anticipate, monitor, and respond to emerging threats.
RANE's platform helps organizations identify, manage, and mitigate operational risks, with trusted intelligence that ensures business continuity and resiliency. We provide tools to harness the value of OSINT, analysis to provide context, forecasts to provide direction, and assessments to enable specific action.
Join the millions who are tapping into the collective wisdom of the world’s largest community of risk and business professionals. For more information about RANE, visit www.ranenetwork.com.
Connect with RANE on Social Media:
Twitter: twitter.com/RANEnetwork
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Follow the RANE Podcast Series wherever you get your podcasts:
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Advertise your brand on the RANE Podcast Series today! Follow the link below:
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Russia's hybrid sabotage campaign against Europe is intensifying－and cyber operations are playing a growing role.
In this RANE Quick Take, Cyber Intelligence Analyst Hayley Benedict breaks down how Russia-linked hacktivist groups are being used to support a broader campaign of disruption across Europe. From cyber incidents targeting Danish water infrastructure and public websites ahead of elections, to the increasing focus on operational technology and critical infrastructure, these activities highlight a shift beyond traditional cyber tactics like DDoS attacks and website defacements.
Benedict also explores why Russia is likely to sustain, or even escalate this campaign. She outlines scenarios that could raise Russia's risk tolerance, including the potential use of more destructive tools such as data wiper malware, which could cause prolonged and costly disruptions.
RANE is a global risk intelligence company that provides risk and security professionals with critical insights and analysis to more efficiently anticipate, monitor, and respond to emerging threats.
RANE's platform helps organizations identify, manage, and mitigate operational risks, with trusted intelligence that ensures business continuity and resiliency. We provide tools to harness the value of OSINT, analysis to provide context, forecasts to provide direction, and assessments to enable specific action.
Join the millions who are tapping into the collective wisdom of the world’s largest community of risk and business professionals. For more information about RANE, visit www.ranenetwork.com.
Connect with RANE on Social Media:
Twitter: twitter.com/RANEnetwork
Facebook: facebook.com/TheRANENetwork
Instagram: instagram.com/theranenetwork/?hl=en
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rane
YouTube: youtube.com/c/RANENetwork
Substack: bit.ly/3WMM9PH
Follow the RANE Podcast Series wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple - podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rane-podcast/id1022071615
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/7ACTDy1ViCal41B7JDNgz8
Podbean - ranenetwork.podbean.com
Amazon - music.amazon.com/podcasts/7595f40b-765f-4ad6-9f89-adef0c42a2a3/rane-podcast-series
TuneIn - tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/RANE-Podcast-Series-p3736941
Player FM - https://player.fm/series/1982632
Listen Notes - listennotes.com/podcasts/rane-podcast-series-rane-network-OsomUackIA4
Podchaser - podchaser.com/podcasts/rane-podcast-series-165155
Advertise your brand on the RANE Podcast Series today! Follow the link below:
sponsorship.podbean.com/podcaster/profile/id/w3w9eKSqgu83?utm_source=ads_affiliate&utm_campaign=ranepodcast
