French President Emmanuel Macron says Russia has targeted France with hybrid attacks in recent weeks, warning that the nature of the security threat facing Europe is changing.
Speaking after a meeting with French political party leaders in Paris on Friday, Macron said the Russian hybrid threat against France and other European countries had intensified.
Macron said he had instructed the French government to prepare a plan to protect critical infrastructure, as well as sensitive sites linked to the defence and technology industries, from potential drone and cyberattacks.
The French president said recent incidents across Europe demonstrated that security threats were no longer limited to conventional military operations. He cited activities involving drones, cyber operations and other forms of what France describes as hybrid pressure.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said relevant government services would be mobilised to prepare for the emerging threats.
Macron also warned that Russia should not assume that European countries would ignore such activities. He said France would continue working with its European partners to strengthen protection against attacks on infrastructure and other sensitive facilities.
The comments came as concern about Russian activity has increased among European governments. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk separately warned that Russia could potentially target countries supporting Ukraine with drone or missile operations designed to create uncertainty about how NATO would respond.
Macron's remarks follow a broader European debate over so-called hybrid threats, which can include cyberattacks, disinformation, sabotage, interference and drone activity alongside conventional military pressure.
France has also maintained its support for Ukraine during Russia's full-scale invasion. Macron said the changing security environment meant European countries needed to strengthen their preparedness and protect critical infrastructure.
The French government's planned security measures are expected to focus on improving the country's ability to detect and respond to drone and cyber threats while protecting strategically important facilities.
Russia has not been established by independent investigations as responsible for every incident cited in the wider European discussion. Macron's statements represent the French government's assessment of the threat and its response.