WASHINGTON: US and allied intelligence officials are tracking an increase in low-level sabotage operations in Europe that they say are part of a Russian campaign to undermine support for Ukraine’s war effort. The covert operations have mostly been arsons or attempted arsons targeting a wide range of sites, including a warehouse in England, a paint factory in Poland, homes in Latvia and, most oddly, an Ikea store in Lithuania.But people accused of being Russian operatives have also been arrested on charges of plotting attacks on US military bases. While the acts might appear random, US and European security officials say they are part of a concerted effort by Russia to slow arms transfers to Ukraine and create the appearance of growing European opposition to support for Ukraine. The officials say Russia’s military intelligence arm, the GRU, is leading the campaign.
The attacks, at least so far, have not interrupted weapons flow to Ukraine, and indeed many of the targets are not directly related to the war. But some security officials say Russia is trying to sow fear and force European nations to add security throughout the weapons supply chain, adding costs and slowing the pace of transfers.
Nato and European leaders have been warning of the growing threat. PM Kaja Kallas of Estonia said last week that Russia was conducting a “shadow war” against Europe. PM Donald Tusk of Poland announced the arrest of 12 people accused of carrying out “beatings, arson and attempted arson” for Russian intelligence. And PM Jonas Gahr Store of Norway said Russia posed “a serious threat” after his country warned about possible attacks on energy producers and arms factories.
One of the first of the recent sabotage acts attributed to Russia was a March fire at a warehouse in London. Authorities say the warehouse was connected with the effort to supply Ukraine but have provided few details. Security officials briefed on the incident said GRU operatives used a Russian diplomatic building in Sussex, England, to recruit locals to carry out the arson. Four British men have been charged with arson in the attack, and one of them has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service. In response, Britain expelled a Russian military officer working for intelligence services and closed several Russian diplomatic buildings, including GRU operations centre in Sussex. The use of local recruits, officials said, has been a hallmark of the sabotage campaign. They said it is to make them appear to be result of domestic opposition to supporting Ukraine.