Overview

• General Burkhard publicly confirmed that Russia has officially designated France as its main European adversary in remarks made on July 11, 2025
• He detailed a hybrid warfare strategy combining cyberattacks, state-backed disinformation, maritime espionage and covert operations in Africa to undermine French security
• The chief of staff warned that Russia is reequipping its conventional and nuclear forces in a buildup set to threaten Europe’s eastern flank by 2030
• Recent Russian naval surveillance and strategic bomber patrols have intensified and aerial incidents along NATO borders are becoming more frequent
• In response, France has increased its defense budget, strengthened NATO cooperation and bolstered national resilience measures