Bomb hoaxes and supermarket cyberattacks raise fears of 'hybrid attacks' in Europe

A series of bomb hoaxes and cyberattacks across Europe is raising security fears. This week, a string of bomb threats grounded flights and put airports on high alert. No explosives were found, and the threats appear to be false.

But the disruption is not limited to aviation. Hackers have also targeted supermarket freezers in several countries, raising temperatures and spoiling food.

Italy says civilian infrastructure in Europe is "under attack". Together, the incidents are raising fears and questions about a wider campaign of hybrid attacks.

The bomb threats caused flight cancellations and delays this week, and security was tightened at airports. After searches found no explosives, authorities believe the threats were hoaxes.

Meanwhile, attacks on supermarket freezers raised temperatures and ruined stored food. Analysts say this struck directly at people's daily lives.

Now questions are being raised: who could be behind these threats? Are the incidents connected? And can European nations come together to counter such acts of aggression?

Analysts say the pattern of simultaneous attacks on civilian targets such as airports and supermarkets is characteristic of hybrid warfare. In such campaigns, the aim is to disrupt daily life and create fear without a direct military attack.

Taking part in the discussion of these incidents are Eric Schouten, founder and CEO of Dyami Security Intelligence; Dennis-Kenji Kipker, research director of the Cyber Intelligence Institute; and Patrick Bury, a defence and security specialist at the University of Bath.

European countries are now trying to identify the source of the threats and take coordinated steps to prevent such attacks in the future.