The deployment of a new European Union mission in Armenia, given the complexity and length of EU bureaucratic processes, highlights both the urgency and importance of the initiative. This view was expressed by Gayane Abrahamyan, head of the NGO “For Equal Rights.”
According to her, hybrid threats have a global dimension. She recalled that a few years ago, the EU launched a monitoring mission along the Armenia–Azerbaijan border in response to security concerns. Now, she argues, the same level of importance is being assigned to hybrid threats.
Hybrid warfare beyond the battlefield
Abrahamyan notes that hybrid threats are often underestimated or even dismissed, which in itself can be part of information manipulation. In reality, they have become a central component of modern security.
She explains that warfare today extends beyond physical confrontation. Cognitive influence targeting public perception and behavior can have significant consequences.
“Fake news, disinformation, and the constant cultivation of anxiety can lead to behavioral changes,” she says.
She cites past incidents in Yerevan involving false bomb threats as examples of attempts to create instability and erode public trust in institutions.
Disinformation and migration pressure
Abrahamyan argues that such tactics often pursue long-term goals, including encouraging emigration by fostering a sense of insecurity and distrust toward the state.
She adds that the growing influence of social media has amplified these risks, as most people now rely on these platforms for information, making manipulation easier.
In this context, combating disinformation becomes a priority, requiring both technical capabilities and skilled human resources.
Elections and cybersecurity risks
Abrahamyan emphasizes that hybrid threats tend to intensify during election periods. Potential risks include cyberattacks on electoral systems, data leaks, and technical disruptions designed to undermine trust in the voting process.
“Narratives are already circulating that elections cannot bring change or will be manipulated. These claims can be artificially reinforced through technical disruptions,” she notes.
She stresses that such risks extend beyond elections and affect broader national security, including the protection of personal data.
Strengthening resilience as a priority
According to Abrahamyan, the EU mission is particularly important for strengthening Armenia’s resilience. “Today, warfare is also conducted in the information space, targeting the psychological state of society,” she says.
She notes that the activity of disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and bot networks has increased significantly in recent years, even though such tools are not new.
In conclusion, she argues that Armenia must recognize the long-term nature of hybrid threats and prepare for sustained resistance through institutional and societal resilience.