French President Macron Warns of Intensifying Russian Hybrid Attacks, Orders Critical Infrastructure Protection Plan on September 18

French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday September 18 that Russia has targeted France with hybrid attacks in recent weeks, ordering the government to prepare a plan to protect critical infrastructure and defense industry sites from drone and cyberattacks ahead of next week's UN General Assembly. Macron told reporters after meeting with political party leaders and presidential hopefuls in Paris that the Russian hybrid threat facing Europeans and France has intensified, citing a series of escalating incidents including a drone attack on a train running between Kyiv and Warsaw, an attempted attack in Leipzig, a missile launch near a Danish frigate, and several incursions into European airspace. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on X that all relevant services would be mobilized, with the goal of mobilizing all state and local stakeholders to be ready to face these new threats. The warning from the Élysée Palace comes amid a surge in sabotage, cyberattacks, and surveillance targeting defense facilities across the continent as European leaders confront aggressive non-conventional operations. Macron ordered the interior minister to task the government with preparing a plan to protect critical infrastructure and the most vulnerable sites within France's defense industrial and technological base from drone and cyber threats, with a focus on protecting technology-intensive activities that serve as possible targets. France's interior minister has already met with regional prefects to step up vigilance in response to the Russian hybrid attacks, Macron said at the meeting. The timing is notable as Macron prepares to head to the UN General Assembly next week, where the selection of the next Secretary-General and broader multilateral responses to Russian hybrid warfare are expected to dominate discussions among European and allied leaders.