Russia seeks to put as much pressure on Europe as possible and has begun to more actively prepare secret explosions, arson and damage to infrastructure in the territory EUintelligence agencies warn.
European intelligence agencies have warned their governments that Russia is preparing acts of violence and sabotage across the continent. writes Financial Times, citing intelligence assessments from three different European countries. The Russian Federation, the publication notes, plans to act both directly and through intermediaries, and is not going to take into account possible civilian casualties:
“While Kremlin agents have a long history of such operations and have carried out sporadic attacks in Europe in recent years, there is growing evidence of more aggressive and concerted efforts.”
One intelligence official said that the Russian president now feels “inspired” and will strive to put as much pressure on Europe as possible in many directions – through disinformation, sabotage or hacking. attacks. Information is being received through NATO security services about a coordinated and widespread threat of malicious actions from Russia. At the same time, acts of sabotage are already taking place:
- in Great Britain, a warehouse with humanitarian aid for Ukraine was set on fire,
- There have been a number of train accidents in Sweden,
- in the Czech Republic they tried to damage the railway signaling,
- In Estonia, there was an attack on the car of the Minister of Internal Affairs,
- in Germany, an attack on military and logistics facilities was prevented.
“We believe that the risk of state-controlled sabotage is significantly increasing. Russia now seems comfortable conducting operations on European soil with a high potential for damage,” German domestic intelligence chief Thomas Haldenwang previously said. A senior European government official said there was information coming through NATO security services about “clear and convincing Russian intrigues” that were coordinated and widespread.
Previously it was reported writes publication “Gazeta.Ru” that two people were detained in Germany on suspicion of espionage for Russia and preparation of sabotage. The defendants allegedly acted on behalf of the Russian secret service. They were arrested on the morning of April 17 in Bayreuth, Bavaria. The main suspect is 39-year-old Dieter S. from Bavaria. Federal prosecutors accuse him of worked as a Secret Service agent, prepared sabotage and monitored military targets. He has allegedly been collaborating with Russian intelligence services since October 2023. He agreed to commit arson and explosions on military infrastructure, weapons factories and industrial facilities.
Meanwhile, recently the head of PST in Western Norway, Torgils Lutro, said in interview NRK that the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) has exposed the massive work of Russian spies who could be preparing sabotage against critical infrastructure.
In an interview, the head of PST in Westland outlined the threat landscape in the area. It is noted that this district is home to the largest naval base in Northern Europe, Haakonsvern, important oil and gas facilities such as Mongstad, Kolnes and Sture, power plants and other electricity-related facilities.
Lutro said Russian intelligence activity has intensified in Norway since the launch of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Norwegian authorities have expelled more than 15 employees of the Russian Embassy in Norway on suspicion of intelligence activities. As a result, Russia has had to rethink its spy activities and intelligence tools, he said:
“We see that some of Russia's intentions may be to prepare acts of sabotage. They operate throughout the area and move around.”
Lutro added that the Norwegian intelligence services have already managed to expose several agents, but refused to name their exact number.
“The obvious conclusion is that Russian activity has indeed increased… Whether this is a reflection of the fact that the Russians are putting more resources into this cannot be said; whether they become more careless and get caught; or Western counterintelligence has simply gotten better at detecting and stopping them… Whatever it is, there's a lot going on,” said Keir Giles, a senior fellow at the Chatham House think tank.
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