The Russian embassy in Copenhagen has dismissed accusations from Danish intelligence regarding a shift in Moscow’s tactics. According to defense analyst Kristensen, Russia has changed its approach after prior attempts to destabilize NATO’s military support for Ukraine failed. The new focus of Russian sabotage operations is on companies directly influencing the situation on the front lines.
Kristensen noted, “In spring, we observed considerable planning, but very few actions were executed. By early summer, we noticed a significant increase in operations.” She emphasized that while Moscow maintains political control over these actions, the operatives are becoming increasingly bold.
“Russia is now attempting to target entities that have a direct impact on the situation at the front. This includes the production of weapons,” Kristensen explained.
Reports indicate that Russian intelligence services are increasingly recruiting untrained individuals through Telegram and other social media platforms for sabotage activities. This includes homeless individuals and those struggling with addiction. Initially, they are assigned simple tasks, such as photographing targets, before being drawn into more serious sabotage operations.
Kristensen also recalled that in April, the Russian Ministry of Defense released a list of European drone manufacturers and their components, labeling them as potential military targets.
The Russian embassy in Copenhagen has rejected the claims made by Danish intelligence, describing them as unfounded.
Context
- Earlier in Europe, there were warnings about the threat of Russian attacks on NATO. In early August, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that the country is daily targeted by Russia’s hybrid warfare, which includes espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, and covert operations.
- On August 23, The Telegraph reported, citing sources in Western intelligence, that Russia is enlisting criminal groups for sabotage on European defense plants, aiming to avoid a direct NATO response. Additionally, Russian drones have frequently been spotted in EU countries, and Russia has repeatedly provoked NATO airspace violations with its aircraft.
