A major security alert was triggered at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport after authorities discovered an explosive-laden drone near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft. Flights were diverted for several hours as bomb disposal teams deployed a robot to safely remove the detonator from the unmanned aerial vehicle.

The airport plays a crucial role in transporting military supplies for the German Armed Forces and NATO allies and also serves as a key base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines. German officials described the incident as extremely serious and launched a full-scale investigation into the drone's origin and those responsible.

Germany's Interior Minister urged caution against speculation, saying investigators are examining every possible angle, including the possibility of foreign involvement. Officials also warned that the incident reflects the growing hybrid security threats facing Europe.

Explosive Drone Found Near Ukrainian Cargo Plane at German Airport | Flights Suspended

#Gravitas | A top NATO commander has warned that Russia's hybrid warfare threatens vital undersea cables and pipelines. He warned that the vast underwater infrastructure on which Europe’s power and communications depend were not built to withstand Russia's “hybrid warfare”

NATO Commander's Big Russia Warning, Says Undersea ‘Hybrid Warfare’ Threatens Security of 1 Billion

Vladimir Putin told the conference of senior defence officials on Tuesday (Dec 19) that Russia is upgrading its nuclear arsenal amid its ongoing war against Ukraine and Western fears of nuclear conflict.&nbsp;

Putin said that Moscow is keeping its strategic forces at the highest level of readiness as the West wages a "hybrid war" against it.&nbsp;

"Due to the changing character of military threats and as new military and political risks arise, the role of the nuclear triad has significantly increased. It ensures a strategic balance of power in the world," Putin said as translated by the news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

"Overall, the level of modern weaponry in the strategic nuclear forces has been brought (up) to 95 per cent. When it comes to naval forces, it's almost (at) 100 per cent. By the end of the year, 15 Yars and Avangard missile complexes will be deployed for service," he added.&nbsp;

"We need to continue maintaining combat readiness of the strategic forces at the highest level. All the approved goals in this area will be reached without a doubt," he further said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-speaks-to-israels-netanyahu-urges-for-early-restoration-of-peace-671389">PM Modi speaks to Israel's Netanyahu, urges for 'early restoration of peace'</a>&nbsp;

The Russian president said that Moscow would continue the "special military operation" in Ukraine.&nbsp;

He targeted the West and stated that all attempts to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia had crumbled.&nbsp;

Putin said that the Western nations continue their hybrid war against Moscow as they keep supplying Ukraine with military aid, and advanced weapons, and they are training their troops.&nbsp;

Putin claimed that Kyiv wasted reserves trying to show the West the results of the counteroffensive as he spoke at the extended meeting with the Defense Ministry.&nbsp;

He highlighted that "the myth of the invulnerability of Western military equipment has also collapsed".&nbsp;

The Russian head of state concluded: "All attempts, as they say in the West, to inflict a strategic military defeat on us were beaten by the courage and fortitude of our soldiers, clashing with the greater power of our Armed Forces, the potential of the national industry, and defence production."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/khalistani-terrorist-pannun-says-india-planning-to-kill-him-the-way-us-eliminated-soleimani-671380">Khalistani terrorist Pannun says India planning to kill him the way US eliminated Soleimani</a>&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Biden administration to use last of Ukraine funds&nbsp;

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<h2>Russia is ready to talk on Ukraine&nbsp;</h2>

Putin also said that Russia would defend its national interests, but would be prepared to talk to Ukraine, the United States and Europe about the future of Kyiv if they wanted to.&nbsp;

"In Ukraine, those who are aggressive towards Russia, and in Europe and in the United States - do they want to negotiate? Let them. But we will do it based on our national interests," Putin told a meeting of the defence leadership in Moscow.&nbsp;

"We will not give up what is ours," Putin said, adding that Russia did not intend to fight with Europe.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Vladimir Putin told the conference of senior defence officials on Tuesday (Dec 19) that Russia is upgrading its nuclear arsenal amid its ongoing war against Ukraine and Western fears of nuclear conflict.

Vladimir Putin told the conference of senior defence officials on Tuesday (Dec 19) that Russia is upgrading its nuclear arsenal amid its ongoing war against Ukraine and Western fears of nuclear conflict. Putin said that Moscow is keeping its strategic forces at the highest level of readiness as the West wages a "hybrid war" against it. "Due to the changing character of military threats and as new military and political risks arise, the role of the nuclear triad has significantly increased. It ensures a strategic balance of power in the world," Putin said as translated by the news agency Reuters. "Overall, the level of modern weaponry in the strategic nuclear forces has been brought (up) to 95 per cent. When it comes to naval forces, it's almost (at) 100 per cent. By the end of the year, 15 Yars and Avangard missile complexes will be deployed for service," he added. "We need to continue maintaining combat readiness of the strategic forces at the highest level. All the approved goals in this area will be reached without a doubt," he further said. Also read: PM Modi speaks to Israel's Netanyahu, urges for 'early restoration of peace' The Russian president said that Moscow would continue the "special military operation" in Ukraine. He targeted the West and stated that all attempts to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia had crumbled. Putin said that the Western nations continue their hybrid war against Moscow as they keep supplying Ukraine with military aid, and advanced weapons, and they are training their troops. Putin claimed that Kyiv wasted reserves trying to show the West the results of the counteroffensive as he spoke at the extended meeting with the Defense Ministry. He highlighted that "the myth of the invulnerability of Western military equipment has also collapsed". The Russian head of state concluded: "All attempts, as they say in the West, to inflict a strategic military defeat on us were beaten by the courage and fortitude of our soldiers, clashing with the greater power of our Armed Forces, the potential of the national industry, and defence production." Also read: Khalistani terrorist Pannun says India planning to kill him the way US eliminated Soleimani Watch: Biden administration to use last of Ukraine funds × Russia is ready to talk on Ukraine Putin also said that Russia would defend its national interests, but would be prepared to talk to Ukraine, the United States and Europe about the future of Kyiv if they wanted to. "In Ukraine, those who are aggressive towards Russia, and in Europe and in the United States - do they want to negotiate? Let them. But we will do it based on our national interests," Putin told a meeting of the defence leadership in Moscow. "We will not give up what is ours," Putin said, adding that Russia did not intend to fight with Europe. (With inputs from agencies)

Vladimir Putin says Russia upgrading nuclear arsenal amid ‘hybrid war’ with West

Top PLA Commander General Wang Haijiang has called for China to boost hybrid warfare in the face of "Western suppression." What is this warfare? How is China going to prepare for future conflicts? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: China to boost unconventional hybrid warfare?

Taiwan said China sent twenty-nine warplanes into its air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the third-largest incursion this year.

The island nation scrambled jets as Chinese bombers and fighter planes flew to the south of the island.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-taiwan-is-booking-airsoft-guns-484756">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Why Taiwan is booking airsoft guns</a>

Taiwan said the Chinese planes included seventeen fighters and six H-6 bombers including electronic warfare and anti-submarine planes.

The bombers, electronic warfare and an intelligence gathering aircraft flew over Bashi Channel and into the Pacific, Taiwan's defence ministry said.

Watch:&nbsp;With Taiwan on target, China launches warship

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In January, China had sent 39 jets and last month 30 Chinese warplanes had entered Taiwan's air defence zone. In October last year, a record&nbsp;56 Chinese warplanes entered Taiwan's ADIZ.

China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province which it has threatened to unite by force if necessary. Last year Taiwan witnessed repeated Chinese incursions which the Tsai Ing-wen government claims is "grey zone" warfare designed to wear out Taiwan's forces.

China's latest move comes as it launched its third aircraft carrier the Fujian. China had earlier conducted a military drill around Taiwan amid continued tensions with Taipei.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Taiwan said China sent twenty-nine warplanes into its air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the third-largest incursion this year. The island nation scrambled jets as Chinese bombers and fighter planes flew to the south of the island.

Taiwan said China sent twenty-nine warplanes into its air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the third-largest incursion this year. The island nation scrambled jets as Chinese bombers and fighter planes flew to the south of the island. Also Read in Pics: Why Taiwan is booking airsoft guns Taiwan said the Chinese planes included seventeen fighters and six H-6 bombers including electronic warfare and anti-submarine planes. The bombers, electronic warfare and an intelligence gathering aircraft flew over Bashi Channel and into the Pacific, Taiwan's defence ministry said. Watch: With Taiwan on target, China launches warship In January, China had sent 39 jets and last month 30 Chinese warplanes had entered Taiwan's air defence zone. In October last year, a record 56 Chinese warplanes entered Taiwan's ADIZ. China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province which it has threatened to unite by force if necessary. Last year Taiwan witnessed repeated Chinese incursions which the Tsai Ing-wen government claims is "grey zone" warfare designed to wear out Taiwan's forces. China's latest move comes as it launched its third aircraft carrier the Fujian. China had earlier conducted a military drill around Taiwan amid continued tensions with Taipei. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China sends 29 warplanes into Taiwan's air defence zone

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the United States will seek global rules on how to prevent misuse of artificial intelligence&nbsp;as he renewed warnings against Russia over hacking.

His remarks come amid mounting concern about hacking for ransom, including an&nbsp;attack&nbsp;that shut down a major fuel pipeline in the United States.

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President Joe Biden said he warned his counterpart Vladimir Putin in a telephone call&nbsp;that the United States would take action,&nbsp;a message reiterated by Blinken.

These increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks represent a new type of warfare aimed at disorganising and even destroying a nation's economy. This has been called 'hybrid warfare.'

It's a mixture of conventional and unconventional methods used against a much stronger adversary that aims to achieve political objectives that would not be possible with traditional warfare.

The problem is often identifying the culprits. In hybrid warfare the state responsible for the actions will often use non-state actors, which allows it to deny responsibility.

But over the past two decades, many cyber-attacks targeting western state institutions and businesses have been far more sophisticated than a couple of tech-savvy individuals operating as 'lone wolves'&nbsp;and bear the hallmarks of actions taken with the support or approval of a hostile government.

Without a doubt, several major nations,&nbsp;particularly Russia, but also China and Iran at the very least, have become adept at using leaks, rumour and political subterfuge to support their geopolitical ends.

The problem, though, is that growing forces within Western countries have also embraced very much the same tactics. It makes getting to the bottom of what is really going on difficult, sometimes impossible. And perhaps most dangerous of all, it means the international climate continues to deteriorate and become ever more paranoid - whether it is justified or not.

It offers a potentially alarming model for any future high-intensity confrontation with Russia, China or both, pointing to an era where ever more players embrace tearing up the rule book and risking - or at worst, even embracing – bloody mayhem.

Proxy wars

In Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, and to a lesser extent in Libya and beyond, these calculations and their resulting proxy wars have already killed hundreds of thousands.

Elsewhere, particularly in the Western world, the contests have been largely bloodless. Getting to the bottom of what is really going on, however, is more difficult. Indeed, many of those involved are clearly embracing and taking advantage of that dynamic and its resulting confusion.

Conspiracy theories

More broadly this alarming rise in Machiavellian ambiguity risks being a disaster for democracies. Without doubt, it feeds into just the kind of conspiracy theories the far right, Kremlin and other spoilers thrive on, and that the international level it dramatically raises the risks of miscalculation.

With their own more ruthless traditions, autocratic states like Russia, China and Iran, and their leaders in particular,&nbsp;are scarcely less paranoid. All three have made it clear to varying degrees they see the hand of the West in domestic dissent at home, and as discontent such as that in Hong Kong escalates, such worries may get worse.

Honest, open diplomatic channels - both between nuclear nations and domestic political factions - offer almost the only hope of keeping such strains under control.

Clearly, there is no shortage of forces that believe that kind of chaos serves their interests. In the short term, they may be right. In the longer run, however, they may find that they suffer the consequences just as harshly as the rest of us.

(With inputs from agencies)

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the United States will seek global rules on how to prevent misuse of artificial intelligence as he renewed warnings against Russia over hacking.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the United States will seek global rules on how to prevent misuse of artificial intelligence as he renewed warnings against Russia over hacking. His remarks come amid mounting concern about hacking for ransom, including an attack that shut down a major fuel pipeline in the United States. President Joe Biden said he warned his counterpart Vladimir Putin in a telephone call that the United States would take action, a message reiterated by Blinken. These increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks represent a new type of warfare aimed at disorganising and even destroying a nation's economy. This has been called 'hybrid warfare.' It's a mixture of conventional and unconventional methods used against a much stronger adversary that aims to achieve political objectives that would not be possible with traditional warfare. The problem is often identifying the culprits. In hybrid warfare the state responsible for the actions will often use non-state actors, which allows it to deny responsibility. But over the past two decades, many cyber-attacks targeting western state institutions and businesses have been far more sophisticated than a couple of tech-savvy individuals operating as 'lone wolves' and bear the hallmarks of actions taken with the support or approval of a hostile government. Without a doubt, several major nations, particularly Russia, but also China and Iran at the very least, have become adept at using leaks, rumour and political subterfuge to support their geopolitical ends. The problem, though, is that growing forces within Western countries have also embraced very much the same tactics. It makes getting to the bottom of what is really going on difficult, sometimes impossible. And perhaps most dangerous of all, it means the international climate continues to deteriorate and become ever more paranoid - whether it is justified or not. It offers a potentially alarming model for any future high-intensity confrontation with Russia, China or both, pointing to an era where ever more players embrace tearing up the rule book and risking - or at worst, even embracing – bloody mayhem. Proxy wars In Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, and to a lesser extent in Libya and beyond, these calculations and their resulting proxy wars have already killed hundreds of thousands. Elsewhere, particularly in the Western world, the contests have been largely bloodless. Getting to the bottom of what is really going on, however, is more difficult. Indeed, many of those involved are clearly embracing and taking advantage of that dynamic and its resulting confusion. Conspiracy theories More broadly this alarming rise in Machiavellian ambiguity risks being a disaster for democracies. Without doubt, it feeds into just the kind of conspiracy theories the far right, Kremlin and other spoilers thrive on, and that the international level it dramatically raises the risks of miscalculation. With their own more ruthless traditions, autocratic states like Russia, China and Iran, and their leaders in particular, are scarcely less paranoid. All three have made it clear to varying degrees they see the hand of the West in domestic dissent at home, and as discontent such as that in Hong Kong escalates, such worries may get worse. Honest, open diplomatic channels - both between nuclear nations and domestic political factions - offer almost the only hope of keeping such strains under control. Clearly, there is no shortage of forces that believe that kind of chaos serves their interests. In the short term, they may be right. In the longer run, however, they may find that they suffer the consequences just as harshly as the rest of us. (With inputs from agencies)

How have cyber attacks become strategy for hybrid warfare?

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