russia and China Stepping up Hybrid Pressure on the EU’s Information Space

The European External Action Service has published its fourth annual report on the threat of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

russia – accounting for 29% of recorded incidents – and China – with a 6% share – have been identified as the main actors in hybrid activities. In 65% of cases, the exact source of the attack could not be established; however, available indicators point to possible coordination with russian or Chinese entities.

In 2025, 540 incidents of interference involving artificial intelligence were recorded – three times more than the previous year, when there were 180 such incidents.

Ukraine remains the main target of information aggression: 112 targeted incidents have been recorded. The dominant narratives centered on claims that EU assistance to Kyiv was “futile,” portraying Ukraine as an aggressor, and discrediting its military and political leadership. Among the targets there are over 100 political leaders and approximately 200 organizations, including NATO, media outlets, and academic institutions. France leads in the number of incidents (107), followed by Moldova (94) and Germany (71). Separately, attempts to destabilize the transport and logistics infrastructure of the Baltic states are being recorded.

The general trend indicates a systemic intensification of information pressure on EU countries, shifting from large-scale campaigns to sustained, low-intensity influence aimed at gradually eroding public trust in EU institutions.