Joan Esposito is joined by Tamar Jacoby, director of the New Ukraine Project at the Progressive Policy Institute and contributor to Washington Monthly; her latest articles are “The New Normal in Kyiv, Ukraine” and “Europe Struggles to Respond to Russian Attacks.” The discussion examined Russia’s escalating hybrid war in Europe and the implications for Ukraine, NATO, and Western deterrence. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Jacoby described roughly 400 to 450 suspected Russian attacks in Europe over four years, including sabotage, arson, cyberattacks, drone activity, and attempted assassinations.
- European governments are improving information sharing, monitoring, patrols, and defensive infrastructure, but largely avoid retaliation.
- Russia is making limited progress on the front but has intensified its air campaign with faster, higher-flying drones and attacks on Ukraine’s power, water, and sewage systems.
- Ukraine has damaged approximately 45 percent of Russia’s oil-refining capacity, while Russia continues receiving support, including drone engines, from China.
