Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
According to the report, there has not been a threat this severe in the past 80 years.
Europe’s security climate is shifting in ways not seen for decades.
Dutch intelligence officials now say multiple global powers are exerting pressure simultaneously.
The Netherlands’ intelligence agency, AIVD, has raised concerns about an increasingly hostile geopolitical environment, with Russia at the center of a growing security challenge, Kyiv Post reported.
A Changing Threat
According to the AIVD’s 2025 annual report, Russia is preparing for an extended confrontation with Western nations. The agency says this creates the most complex threat landscape the Netherlands has faced in decades.
AIVD Director-General Simone Smit said, “In the 80 years that the AIVD and its predecessors have existed, there has never been a threat picture like the current one,” as reported by NOS.
The agency links Moscow’s posture to its view that European backing of Ukraine has become more aggressive, pushing Russia toward a longer-term strategic standoff rather than short-term tactics.
Cyber and Espionage
The report highlights a rise in cyber operations tied to Russian actors. In 2025, hackers targeted Signal and WhatsApp accounts belonging to Dutch officials and military staff.
A group known as “Laundry Bear” was blamed for these attacks, as well as for a significant breach of Dutch police systems that exposed the personal data of tens of thousands of employees.
China is also identified as a growing concern. The AIVD says Beijing has conducted sustained covert efforts to obtain sensitive technology and research from Dutch institutions.
Expanding Risks
Dutch telecom providers were targeted in a cyber-espionage campaign attributed to Salt Typhoon, which U.S. authorities link to the Chinese state.
The agency warns that such actions threaten economic competitiveness and reflect China’s broader ambition to reshape global power structures.
Looking ahead, the AIVD expects threats from both Russia and China to intensify across Europe in 2026, widening the scope of cyber and strategic risks.
Sources: AIVD 2025 report, Kyiv Post
