Hybrid threats are really nothing new and have only become more active in recent years, perhaps in the decades to come. This was stated Tuesday during a panel discussion at the Comprehensive Security & Resilience International Conference – 2025 being held in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, by the head of NATO Liaison Office in Georgia, Alexander Vinnikov, who is also accredited in Armenia.

From NATO's perspective, a hybrid threat is any threat that falls below the threshold of open conflict. (...). In other words, they are attempting to strike at the heart of democracies and democratic structures. This is what one needs to protect oneself from first of all. And as the prime minister of Armenia described yesterday, when you trust the system, not the soldier standing on the front line, but the very system that is behind that soldier, that system has become the front line today, in terms of hybrid threats, Vinnikov added, in particular.

When we talk about the South Caucasus, about Armenia, based on historical and geographical objectives, and also taking into account the geopolitical situation, the war in Ukraine, Armenia has become especially vulnerable in terms of these threats, noted Vinnikov, and stressed precisely the disinformation threats.

Also, Armenia is preparing for parliamentary elections next year, and it seems that these threats will be intensified before the elections, Vinnikov said, and added that it is of key importance for Armenia and its partners to strengthen resilience.