Expert: Russia's sabotage should be a wake-up call

 

Mia Holmberg Karlsson/TT

Published 05.45

 

A bomb disposal technician and a robot at the site at Leipzig Airport where an explosive-laden drone was found in early August. Photo: Hendrik Schmidt/DPA via AP/TT

The drone attack on Leipzig Airport is serious – and shows that Russia has once again pushed the boundaries.

That is the opinion of defense expert Markus Göransson, who has a hypothesis about Putin's goal with the hybrid attacks.

On August 4, a drone equipped with explosives was discovered at the German airport Leipzig/Halle, near Ukrainian cargo planes. At the same time, a second drone collided with an aircraft in mid-air. Ten days later, a third drone was found near the airport, also loaded with explosives.

Markus Göransson, senior lecturer in war science at the Swedish National Defence University, stresses that the attack in Leipzig is part of a broader pattern of alleged Russian attacks and sabotage in Europe. But the airport attack still represents a clear advance – and shows that Europe has clearly failed to deter Russia.

– This should be a wake-up call for the West.

– If we compare what they were prepared to do a few years ago with now sending drones armed with explosives to an airport... It is serious.
Testing the limits

Since Germany officially pointed out Russia as responsible on Tuesday, the tone has been harsh. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accuses Russia of “state-sponsored terrorism” and others, such as German defence contractor Stefan Thumann, have proclaimed that Germany is at war with Russia. EU leaders have rallied behind Germany, summoned ambassadors and threatened new sanctions.

The question is whether it is enough.

– I do not think that it will mean that Russia will cease its aggressive influence on the West, says Markus Göransson.

According to him, Russia sees the West as weak and fearful. That is why the country is constantly trying to test the limits, to see how far it can go before the West backs down or reacts with more forceful measures.

– There is a deep conviction in Russia – perhaps not necessarily that they are stronger than the West in terms of economy and potential military strength – but that they are more determined and have the ability to concentrate their strength in a completely different way. And that there is a great potential to sow division and discord among the countries of Europe.
“Drives the war”

“Drives the war”

However, there is little to indicate that it actually works, Göransson notes.

– Rather, it creates greater public opinion against Russia and for more forceful measures against Russia.

So why do hybrid attacks continue? To answer that, he says, an understanding of the Russian analysis of the Ukraine war is required.

– In Russia, the West is seen as the source of strength in the Ukrainian resistance, that it is the West that is actually driving the war. For Russia, it is clearly important to try to hijack and weaken that support in various ways.