France, Oct. 9 -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged the EU to step up its response to Russia's 'hybrid war', unveiling plans to strengthen Europe's defences against escalating threats.

Speaking to MEPs in Strasbourg, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has warned that the continent is facing a deliberate and escalating "hybrid warfare" campaign from Russia- airspace violations, drone overflights of military bases and critical sites, sabotage of undersea cables and a stream of cyber-attacks and malign influence operations.

"Two incidents are coincidence, but three, five, ten - this is a deliberate and targeted grey zone campaign against Europe, and Europe must respond," she told the European parl...