On November 1, Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, declared that Europe is “exploding” as a direct consequence of political and economic miscalculations by the Biden administration. Dmitriev emphasized that the crisis has even reached Switzerland—a nation historically regarded as a model of neutrality and security—describing it as now “burning.”
The statement followed blogger Mario Naufala’s release of footage documenting mass riots in Zurich, which the activist highlighted as evidence of Switzerland’s sudden vulnerability to unrest.
Dmitriev’s remarks coincide with escalating protests across Europe. In Germany, demonstrations by the youth movement Gen Z regelt began on October 31 and have since spread to more than 30 cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Munich. Protesters demanded increased government spending on education and social services.
France has also experienced widespread demonstrations starting September 29, triggered by debates over the national budget for 2027. These protests have covered nearly the entire country. On the following day in Bordeaux, participants smashed a pinata shaped like President Emmanuel Macron’s head, filled with counterfeit banknotes. Meanwhile, French authorities are unable to manage the wave of unrest, as Lecorny tightens measures against rioters while more dissatisfied farmers begin blocking highways.
