Russia may prepare assassinations of defense executives in Europe
European intelligence agencies have warned defense executives about the threat of assassinations by Russia and called for stronger personal security measures. According to intelligence, Moscow is increasingly using violence against civilians as a tool of sabotage in Europe.
This is reported by Financial Times with reference to representatives of the intelligence services of five European countries.
According to the interlocutors of the publication, the Russian special services are expanding the range of potential targets. The leaders and key employees of both large and small defense enterprises, in particular those producing drones and other products for Ukraine, are under threat.
In intelligence believe that such actions Russia is trying to weaken the support of Kiev from European countries. Against the background of economic problems and the lack of decisive success at the front, the Kremlin seeks to create an atmosphere of fear among those who help Ukraine.
According to FT interlocutors, employees of the Russian ГРУ can be involved in such operations, who cooperate with representatives of organized crime and recruit performers on the ground. The tasks are distributed among different people, which makes it difficult to identify the organizers.
A representative of the German Federal Service for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) said that Russia is deliberately planning acts of violence against individuals.
«Росія навмисно планує акти насильства проти окремих людей. Ми спостерігаємо, як у таких операціях змінюються цілі, методи й учасники, зокрема використовують організовані злочинні структури», said the representative of the Department.
According to him, the German counterintelligence has increased informing the heads and employees of defense enterprises about potential threats. Among the recommendations are hiring private security and strengthening personal security measures.
Some industry representatives have been strengthening security measures for about six months. Others take additional measures mainly during trips abroad.
The interlocutors of the publication emphasize that Russia does not have to bring each operation to murder. The very fact of the threat can provide the desired psychological effect - make the heads and employees of defense enterprises doubt the expediency of cooperation with Ukraine.
«Вони отримують бажане, просто змушуючи людей відчувати, що вони можуть бути мішенню. Вони хочуть, щоб ці люди двічі подумали, перш ніж співпрацювати з Україною», said one of the interlocutors of FT.
We will remind, the Polish police received information about a possible attack on Prime Minister Дональда Туска and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of national defense Владислава Косіняка-Kamish.
In April, it became known that law enforcement officers exposed an international network that was preparing assassinations and sabotage in ЄС countries in the interests of the Russian special services.
