Russia and the Weaponisation of Migrants
Event Description
In this webinar, we will explore how Russia and its partners can weaponise refugee and migrant flows as a form of hybrid pressure against NATO and the EU, aimed at stretching border capacity, fuelling political polarisation, and undermining public trust. The discussion will draw on Michael McManus’s recent analysis for the Henry Jackson Society, including evidence that spikes along parts of Europe’s eastern frontier can correlate with moments of Russian battlefield pressure and Western sanctions, suggesting these surges are not always accidental.
Michael will be joined by additional panellists to examine what this means for UK and European security, and how democracies can respond firmly and effectively while safeguarding legal responsibilities and human dignity.
Key Topics:
- What “instrumentalised migration” looks like in practice and how it fits into modern hybrid warfare
- What recent data and analysis suggests about timing, triggers, and strategic intent
- The role of enabling actors, routes, and narrative warfare, including propaganda and disinformation
- Policy options for NATO, the EU, and the UK, from border resilience to intelligence coordination
- How to protect borders and social cohesion without abandoning humanitarian principles
Speakers
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Michael McManusDirector of Research, Henry Jackson Society
Michael is the Director of Research at the Henry Jackson Society. He has worked in Washington DC and Brussels on a range of policy issues linked to trade, security, and migration. Michael has worked as an expert consultant on a range of projects in the Global South and the former Soviet Union
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Dariusz SobkowFormer Polish Ambassador to the European UnionDariusz Sobkow is the former Polish Ambassador to the European Union. After this, he worked as a political analyst in the European Parliament. Prior to his work in the EU institutions, he worked in the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He currently works as an advisor on the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
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Pawel StyrnaSenior Researcher at the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)Pawel is a Senior Researcher at the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in Washington DC. He has worked on projects analysing all aspects of migration, and their economic and national security implications. Pawel holds a PhD in Russian and European History from the American University