European nations denounce Russian hybrid attacks

European governments accused Russia of escalating hybrid attacks on Ukraine's Western allies on Nov 19, as Baltic nations investigated whether the cutting of two fibre-optic telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea was sabotage.

"Moscow's escalating hybrid activities against Nato and EU countries are also unprecedented in their variety and scale, creating significant security risks," said the statement by the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Britain.

Europe needed to "think and act big" to boost its security, the statement continued.

The strongly worded declaration came as European countries probed the complete severing this week of the Baltic cables, one linking Finland and Germany, the other connecting Sweden to Lithuania, recalling previous incidents in the busy waterway.

Two European sources said the statement was not a direct response to the cable cuts.

One cable went out of service on the morning of Nov 17, the other less than 24 hours later on Nov 18.

European officials have not directly accused Russia of destroying the cables. But Germany, Poland and others said it was likely an act of sabotage, while Lithuania's armed forces boosted surveillance of its waters in response.