Russia is increasingly utilizing Cossack associations in Europe and beyond as instruments for espionage and the conduct of hybrid influence operations. Their primary threat lies in their capacity to operate autonomously as legalized paramilitary cells under the direction of Russian special services. These structures are capable of rapid mobilization and,…

In the spring of 2024, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez—a politician who had come to power on a platform of fighting corruption and restoring trust in state institutions following numerous scandals during the People’s Party era—publicly announced a five-day pause to reflect on his future political career. This was prompted…

In recent years, the United Kingdom has become a priority target for Russian hybrid attacks and acts of sabotage. The arson attacks on properties belonging to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in May 2025 served as striking proof of this and were carried out by the Russian Federation under a…

For years, the Irish government has been lobbying behind the scenes in Brussels to prevent restrictions being imposed on supplies of alumina produced by the Aughinish Alumina plant, the ultimate beneficiary of which is the sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, and a series of corporate and legal manoeuvres carried out…

In recent years, Europe has seen a rise in the popularity of far-right forces that intend to radically change their countries’ agendas and threaten to undermine European unity. Italy is no exception in this regard, as a certain segment of the Italian population is showing a growing demand for a…