Russia intensifies hybrid activities in Europe / Defense industry executives targeted by threats and assassination attempts

Russia is intensifying its sabotage operations and hybrid actions in Europe, against the backdrop of the deadlock on the front in Ukraine and the economic difficulties in Moscow, according to the Financial Times. European intelligence services warn that executives and employees of defense companies, including firms that produce drones and components, are being targeted by Russian agents.

Officials from five European intelligence services claim that the threat targets both property and people. The director of Germany’s domestic intelligence service, Sinan Selen, stated that Russia is planning acts of violence through state or state-controlled actors.

The operations are attributed mainly to the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service, whose agents are reportedly cooperating increasingly often with organized crime groups and transnational networks. In some cases, authorities have foiled assassination plots or identified surveillance activities at the homes and workplaces of certain individuals.

Executives in Europe’s defense industry have strengthened their security measures over the past six months. An important precedent dates back to 2024, when an alleged Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, was uncovered.

European authorities believe that Moscow is primarily seeking to intimidate companies that support Ukraine.