Dutch Intelligence: Russia Preparing for Long‑Term Confrontation

Dutch intelligence faces its most severe security threat in 80 years, warning that Russia is preparing for a prolonged confrontation with Europe as pressure from China also intensifies. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Ruben Brekelmans, the Dutch outgoing Defense Minister, speaks during a press conference after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in The Hague on June 25, 2025. (Photo by JONAS ROOSENS / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russia is preparing for a long‑term confrontation with the West, creating the most severe and complex threat environment the Netherlands has faced in decades, the Dutch intelligence service AIVD said in its 2025 annual report . On Thursday, AIVD Director General Simone Smit said that “in the eighty years that the AIVD and its predecessors have existed, there has never been a threat picture like now,” warning that national security is under sustained pressure from multiple directions at once, Dutch news agency NOS reported. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The report said Russia has become more aggressive, brutal, and provocative toward European countries, driven by Moscow’s perception that European political and military support for Ukraine is increasingly hostile. The AIVD said Russia’s actions point to preparations for a prolonged strategic standoff rather than short‑term pressure. As evidence, the intelligence service cited Russian cyber operations in 2025 targeting Signal and WhatsApp accounts of government officials and military personnel. The attacks were linked to a Russian‑connected hacking group dubbed “Laundry Bear,” which the AIVD said also carried out a major breach of Dutch police systems, exposing contact details of tens of thousands of employees. The report also warned of a growing threat from China , accusing Beijing of long‑running covert efforts to steal sensitive knowledge from Dutch companies and research institutions. Other Topics of Interest Russia Orchestrates School Shooting, Bombing in Ukraine by Recruiting Vulnerable Teens, Ukraine Says Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said it had foiled multiple planned school attacks by minors allegedly recruited by Russian operatives via social media. The intelligence service said China’s activities threaten economic competitiveness and align with its aim to reshape the global order along autocratic lines. Dutch telecom providers were targeted in 2025 by a cyber‑espionage campaign attributed to Salt Typhoon , a hacking group the United States says is backed by the Chinese state. The threat from China and Russia is expected to broaden in 2026, targeting many nations across Europe. Veronika Sukhanych is a political analyst with a foundation in governance, legal research, and international policy. Kyiv-born and educated in comparative politics, her background includes research on global financial institutions, responsible AI governance, and security policy.