French President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan to protect the country’s critical infrastructure from the Russian hybrid threat. Ukrainska Pravda reported this on 18 September.
What is known
According to the outlet, it concerns protection against drones and cyberattacks. Macron instructed the government and relevant services to prepare a comprehensive plan. Details on timelines, funding and the list of facilities were not given in open data.
What hybrid threats are
This is a combination of different tools of pressure: cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation, interference with the work of transport and energy. They aim at destabilisation without open armed conflict.
Which facilities are considered critical
Critical infrastructure usually includes power grids, transport, communications, water supply, hospitals and financial systems.
Why this matters
European countries increasingly speak of the need to protect against new kinds of threats. The experience of Ukraine, which faces drones and cyberattacks every day, is used by partners to improve their own systems.
The article is based on media reports as of 18 September and may be updated.
