Putin targets European defense executives in bid to weaken support for Ukraine - FT
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Russian leader Vladimir Putin is determined to weaken support for Ukraine among its allies as much as possible. To achieve this, he has launched a campaign targeting the heads of European defense companies, the Financial Times reports.
According to journalists, European intelligence agencies have warned defense company executives of a growing threat of assassination attempts that Russia is already preparing.
The Kremlin has reportedly ordered an expansion of sabotage activities and hybrid operations across Europe. Putin's key goal in the coming months is to weaken support for Ukraine.
Small companies that manufacture drones and drone components are among those most at risk. Some European countries are taking the threat seriously.
For example, Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has stepped up cooperation with defense company executives and employees. They are being advised to use private security services when necessary.
BfV chief Sinan Selen warned German lawmakers that Russia is deliberately preparing violent acts against specific individuals through state agencies or state-controlled entities.
According to Selen, both the targets and methods of these operations are changing, as is the pool of people carrying them out. Russia is increasingly involving members of organized crime groups.
The report also found that Russia's Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (GRU) is largely behind these operations. The intelligence agency is changing its approach to sabotage by working more closely with criminal networks.
Instead of relying on individual operatives recruited online for money, Russian intelligence officers are increasingly using cross-border agent networks. Information gathering, logistics, planning, and the execution of operations are divided among different groups and individuals.
Importantly, Russian intelligence services do not necessarily need to carry out actual assassination attempts to achieve their goals. They understand that simply creating a sense of danger and fear of becoming a target can influence people's decisions to cooperate with Ukraine.
"They want individuals to think twice before doing business with Ukraine," one insider explained.
RBC-Ukraine previously reported that Europe is preparing entry restrictions for Russian citizens amid the threat of hybrid attacks.
We also reported that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned Europe of a new wave of hybrid attacks by Russia.
