Macron orders increased defenses against Russian sabotage

Published September 18, 2026 6:17pm ET | Updated September 18, 2026 6:17pm ET




French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday announced his government is working to craft a plan to protect the country from Russian hybrid threats. 

After meeting with leading political figures in France, Macron warned in comments at the Élysée Palace that Moscow is expanding cyber and drone attacks across Europe in an effort, he said, is aimed at discouraging the continent from supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia, which the United States has made a renewed attempt in recent weeks to end. Macron revealed he asked his government to consider how to protect critical infrastructure, including sensitive defense industry and technology sites, from Russia, citing Moscow’s drone and cyberattacks. 

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