Russia recently destabilised the US .. purely using hybrid warfare, propaganda and 'useful idiots' .. much as he successfully wrecked the UK a few years earlier by Brexiting us .. I really doubt Putin thinks he's losing. China, Iran and N Korea are also actively using hybrid warfare against Europe.
What would you not sacrifice to beat Russia? If referendums and elections are how he wins, like in Brexit and with Trump, then why have them? Or why allow unsanctioned opinions to be published if they could be Russian influenced?
Meanwhile, away from the realms of fiction, this is ACTUALLY what the protests are about
And throwing paint on a plane somehow makes us more vulnerable to those things? Get real