Vladimir Putin has been accused of waging a “hybrid war” against Ireland ahead of a meeting with EU leaders in Dublin.
Ahead of the informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government in Dublin on November 13, Irish security sources have grown suspicious of the Kremlin.
The suspected hybrid campaign, which involves actions carried out on behalf of a state to cause havoc while evading blame, has focused heavily on Ireland.
A string of hoax alerts has targeted schools, broadcasters, and supermarkets on both sides of the Irish border in recent weeks.
Broadcaster RTÉ, Sky News and several others received bomb threats by email on Friday.
Hundreds of schools also received coordinated bomb warnings.
Irish supermarket chain SuperValu reported spoiled stock and thousands of euros in damage after hackers breached its automated refrigeration systems.
As a result, Irish officials suspect the Kremlin could be behind an orchestrated recent wave of bomb threats that targeted around 50 commercial flights to and from Britain, Ireland and continental Europe.
An Irish intelligence source told The Sunday Times that such events lead to the conclusion that a “state actor” is most likely responsible.
They said: “The modus operandi suggests it was Russia.
“These incidents are linked and were coordinated in such a way that leads to the conclusion that it was a state actor.”
On Friday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin told RTÉ it was “too early” to determine whether Russia was behind the latest incidents.
However, he acknowledged a “general view” that the escalation of hybrid attacks in recent months had a “Russian dimension”.
Ireland’s European affairs and defence minister Thomas Byrne told The Sunday Times: “Unfortunately, this type of activity is just becoming more common and more dangerous around Europe. We know that Russia has a hand in this type of activity.”
Before the EU summit on November 13, gardaí and the Irish Defence Forces are reportedly planning to lock down parts of Dublin city centre and enforce a no-fly zone to prevent hostile drone incursions and aerial disruption.
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Officers are said to be “concerned” about a possible cyberattack “directed at electricity, communications and travel services” that could disrupt the event.
Former US intelligence officer Kevin Riehle said the Kremlin was the “prime suspect” for the attacks last week.
He told The Sunday Times: “The bomb threats and refrigeration system hack that are all happening in a concentrated period would be impossible for a small group of vandals to do together. They give the appearance of a state-based campaign.
“Iran may have a similar interest, and Iran has threatened to ramp up its threat activity in response to the US-Israeli war against Iran.
“However, Iran’s targets are the US and Israel. Causing general chaos in Europe is not necessarily beneficial for Iran. That brings it back to Russia.”
Introduction
Ireland has been placed on heightened security alert following a series of suspicious incidents involving bomb threats, cyberattacks and disruptions to public services ahead of an important European Union summit in Dublin. The incidents have raised concerns that the country could be facing a campaign of so-called hybrid warfare, potentially linked to Russia.
Irish security officials are investigating whether the incidents form part of a coordinated operation designed to create fear, disrupt essential services and undermine public confidence in government institutions.
The timing has attracted particular attention because Ireland is preparing to welcome dozens of European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, for major diplomatic meetings.
Although Russian involvement has not been officially established, several Irish officials have warned that Moscow cannot be ruled out. The situation has highlighted the growing security challenges facing European countries as tensions between Russia and Western governments continue.
A wave of suspicious incidents across Ireland and Europe
The security concerns emerged following a series of bomb threats affecting passenger flights, media organisations and other public institutions.
During the first week of November 2026, numerous European airlines received threatening messages claiming that explosive devices had been placed on aircraft.
Some flights were delayed, diverted or escorted by military aircraft as security authorities investigated the warnings.
Two Ryanair flights departing from Dublin were among those affected by bomb alerts. Other incidents involved Aer Lingus services operating between Ireland and continental Europe.
The threats caused disruption at several European airports, including facilities in France, Italy, Bulgaria and Romania.
On 6 November, further threatening emails were sent to Irish broadcaster RTÉ and Bulgarian television station Nova TV.
RTÉ evacuated parts of its headquarters in Donnybrook, Dublin, while police officers attended the scene.
The threats were taken seriously because of their timing and their similarities to other incidents reported across Europe.
However, investigations did not establish that the messages originated from the same individual or organisation.
Although the incidents caused considerable disruption, no explosives were discovered on the affected aircraft or at the media organisations.
Why Ireland has become a focus of security concerns
Ireland’s position as host of major European diplomatic meetings has made the country particularly sensitive to potential security threats.
On 13 November 2026, Dublin is scheduled to host the European Political Community summit, bringing together more than 50 European leaders and representatives.
The following day, European Union leaders are expected to participate in an informal meeting of the European Council.
The gatherings are particularly important because European governments are discussing the future of continental security, support for Ukraine and relations with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the diplomatic discussions, making the summit an important opportunity for European leaders to demonstrate their continued support for Kyiv.
Irish authorities have therefore been preparing an extensive security operation.
The Garda Síochána, Ireland’s national police service, is expected to deploy significant resources to protect visiting leaders, diplomatic delegations and members of the public.
Security preparations include additional surveillance, restrictions around sensitive locations and measures to protect transport infrastructure.
The government has also emphasised the importance of protecting critical services, including electricity, communications and transport networks.
What is hybrid warfare?
The term hybrid warfare describes a combination of different methods used to weaken or destabilise another country without necessarily launching a conventional military attack.
Unlike traditional warfare, which involves direct military confrontation, hybrid operations may use cyberattacks, disinformation, sabotage, economic pressure and psychological intimidation.
The objective is often to create confusion, undermine trust in public institutions and increase political divisions.
For example, a cyberattack against an important infrastructure provider could interrupt services and create financial losses.
False bomb threats against airports can disrupt transport systems, increase public anxiety and force security agencies to divert resources.
Disinformation campaigns can also spread misleading information through social media, making it more difficult for citizens to distinguish reliable information from propaganda.
These activities can be particularly challenging for democratic governments because the people responsible may operate anonymously or through intermediaries.
The difficulty of establishing responsibility is one reason why hybrid warfare has become a major concern for European security agencies.
Russia’s suspected involvement
Several Irish officials have acknowledged that Russian involvement in the recent incidents cannot be ruled out.
Defence Minister Helen McEntee said it was too early to identify those responsible but noted that similar hybrid activities had increasingly been attributed to Russia in recent months.
She referred to incidents affecting countries including Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Romania, where governments have raised concerns about sabotage, cyber operations and other forms of interference.
Security sources quoted by Irish media have also described possible Russian involvement in the latest wave of threats as credible.
Nevertheless, this remains an intelligence assessment rather than a publicly established conclusion.
Russia has repeatedly denied accusations of involvement in hostile activities against European countries.
It is also possible that some incidents could involve independent hackers, copycat actors or individuals seeking to cause disruption for personal reasons.
For this reason, investigators must establish the origin of each threat before attributing responsibility to a particular government.
The distinction between suspicion and confirmed evidence is essential in international security matters.
Ireland’s military neutrality and changing security priorities
Ireland has traditionally maintained a policy of military neutrality.
Unlike NATO members, the country is not part of the alliance’s collective defence system.
However, military neutrality does not mean that Ireland is outside the wider European security environment.
The country plays an important role in international diplomacy, trade, technology and communications.
Ireland is also home to major technology companies and important data infrastructure.
Furthermore, numerous transatlantic submarine communications cables pass through or near Irish waters, connecting Europe with North America.
These cables carry enormous amounts of international internet and telecommunications traffic.
Their protection has therefore become increasingly important as governments examine the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
Ireland has also been strengthening security cooperation with European partners and improving its ability to respond to cyber threats and suspicious activity at sea.
The recent incidents have renewed debate about whether the country’s existing defence arrangements are sufficient to protect its strategic interests.
The impact on airlines, schools and businesses
The consequences of the suspected hybrid campaign have extended beyond government institutions.
Airlines have experienced delays, diversions and additional security procedures following bomb threats.
Passengers have faced uncertainty and disruption, while airport authorities have had to coordinate emergency responses.
Schools and other public institutions have also been affected by threatening messages.
Irish officials have warned that schools and hospitals must be prepared to respond appropriately to security alerts.
Although the threats have largely proved to be false, responding to each warning requires time, personnel and financial resources.
Businesses have also faced difficulties following reports of cyberattacks affecting supermarket refrigeration systems.
Such incidents demonstrate how digital disruption can have direct consequences for everyday life.
When refrigeration systems fail, supermarkets may lose valuable food supplies, while consumers could experience shortages or higher operating costs being passed through the supply chain.
These examples illustrate why hybrid warfare is not limited to military installations or government buildings.
It can affect ordinary people through the disruption of services they depend on every day.
European leaders respond to the growing threat
The recent incidents have strengthened calls for greater cooperation between European security agencies.
Governments increasingly recognise that cyber threats, sabotage and disinformation can cross national borders very quickly.
Consequently, intelligence sharing and coordinated investigations have become important elements of European security policy.
The European Union has also been developing measures to improve the protection of critical infrastructure and strengthen cooperation against hostile cyber activities.
European leaders are expected to discuss these challenges during their meetings in Dublin.
The war in Ukraine is likely to remain central to the discussions, particularly as European countries consider their long-term security responsibilities.
For Ireland, hosting the summit provides an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to European cooperation despite its military neutrality.
The government must balance the need to protect visiting leaders with the responsibility to maintain public confidence and avoid unnecessary alarm.
The danger of misinformation and public panic
One of the most important aspects of hybrid warfare is its psychological impact.
Even when a bomb threat turns out to be false, the message can create fear among passengers, students, workers and members of the public.
Repeated incidents may also undermine confidence in airports, schools, public transport and government institutions.
This is particularly dangerous when misleading information spreads rapidly through social media.
Unverified claims about responsibility can create international tensions and encourage people to draw conclusions before investigators have established the facts.
For this reason, governments and news organisations have an important responsibility to communicate accurately.
Citizens should also be encouraged to rely on official announcements and trustworthy reporting rather than sharing unconfirmed claims.
Public awareness, digital security and international cooperation are essential parts of protecting democratic societies against these challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ireland is facing an important security challenge following a series of bomb threats, cyber incidents and disruptions ahead of major European diplomatic meetings in Dublin.
The incidents have raised concerns about a possible campaign of hybrid warfare, with Irish officials acknowledging that Russian involvement cannot be ruled out.
However, responsibility has not been conclusively established, and investigations must continue before any country or organisation can be held accountable.
The situation demonstrates that modern security threats are no longer limited to conventional military attacks. Cyber operations, false bomb alerts and attacks against essential services can also create serious economic, political and psychological consequences.
For Ireland, the immediate priority is to protect its citizens, secure critical infrastructure and ensure that the upcoming European summit takes place safely.
More broadly, European countries must strengthen intelligence cooperation, improve cybersecurity and develop effective responses to emerging threats.
Ultimately, protecting democracy requires more than military strength. It also depends on public trust, reliable information, international cooperation and the ability of societies to remain resilient in the face of intimidation and uncertainty.