Russia is preparing for a long-term confrontation with the West, creating the most severe and complex threat environment the Netherlands has faced in decades, the Dutch intelligence service AIVD said in its 2025 annual report.
On Thursday, AIVD Director General Simone Smit said that “in the 80 years that the AIVD and its predecessors have existed, there has never been a threat picture like now,” warning that national security is under sustained pressure from multiple directions at once, Dutch news agency NOS reported.
The report said Russia has become more aggressive, brutal, and provocative toward European countries, driven by Moscow’s perception that European political and military support for Ukraine is increasingly hostile.
The AIVD said Russia’s actions point to preparations for a prolonged strategic standoff rather than short-term pressure.
As evidence, the intelligence service cited Russian cyber operations in 2025 targeting Signal and WhatsApp accounts of government officials and military personnel.
The attacks were linked to a Russian-connected hacking group dubbed “Laundry Bear,” which the AIVD said also carried out a major breach of Dutch police systems, exposing contact details of tens of thousands of employees.
The report also warned of a growing threat from China, accusing Beijing of long-running covert efforts to steal sensitive knowledge from Dutch companies and research institutions.
The intelligence service said China’s activities threaten economic competitiveness and align with its aim to reshape the global order along autocratic lines.
Dutch telecom providers were targeted in 2025 by a cyber-espionage campaign attributed to Salt Typhoon, a hacking group the United States says is backed by the Chinese state.
The threat from China and Russia is expected to broaden in 2026, targeting many nations across Europe.