Putin plans wave of sabotage and assassination attempts across NATO, reports say
Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
Russia is preparing to unleash a wave of targeted killings and large-scale acts of sabotage across Europe. Security experts are warning of a sharp escalation in Russia's shadow war against NATO countries, according to The Express.
Attacks on Germany, emerging threats
Western security sources say the Kremlin is already testing the limits of what is acceptable in its confrontation with the Alliance.
The main target of sabotage operations is currently Germany, where numerous attacks have been recorded against energy infrastructure, airports, defense companies and government IT systems.
In particular, drones carrying explosives were discovered near Leipzig/Halle Airport. One device attacked a cargo plane, forcing it to change course, while another was found attached to a tree with a detonator.
Berlin has officially accused Moscow of being behind the actions.
"We will also probably see the announcement of killings against high representatives of our armaments industry. We will experience an increase of state terrorism on German soil and Russia will not declare that they have seen it, but we will see that the traces lead to Moscow," Bundestag member Roderich Kiesewetter said, warning that Germany faces the threat of direct state terrorism.
Risk of Novichok attack in Britain
The situation is also growing increasingly difficult in Britain.
Former British Defense Minister Tobias Ellwood warned that new chemical attacks or assassination attempts in Western countries are only a matter of time.
"This is a lovely grey area that Putin has become a specialist at. I mean, it's horrible to say this, but I think it's only a matter of time before a dignitary, a personality, or someone else is targeted in another Novichok-type situation," Ellwood said.
Intelligence reports that the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) is actively recruiting one-time operatives ("mules") through Telegram and paying them in cryptocurrency.
Such agents carry out arson attacks, railway sabotage and surveillance of military bases, allowing Russia to formally avoid direct responsibility and evade triggering Article 5 of the NATO Treaty.
Russia tries to destabilize NATO
Amid further concessions and Russia's attempts to test the West's patience, European officials say Moscow is already reaping the consequences of its own actions.
Earlier, a European commissioner said Russian President Putin brought the war onto Russian territory, escalating the conflict and prompting mirror strikes from Ukraine.
At the same time, Washington is seeking to lower tensions surrounding the Kremlin's actions in Europe.
In particular, US President Donald Trump responded to the events in Leipzig and said Putin does not actually want to launch a direct military attack on the Alliance.
