Russia Buys Up Houses Near Military Bases in Europe

Russian agents are actively buying up residential and commercial real estate in European countries near military bases, ports, and strategic infrastructure facilities.

The British media, The Telegraph, reported on this, citing sources in Western intelligence agencies.

According to intelligence reports, these properties may be part of a large network of so-called “Trojan horses” designed for espionage, sabotage, and preparation for possible attacks in the event of an escalation of the situation.

This involves the purchase of cottages, warehouses, apartments, abandoned buildings, as well as islands and land plots in at least a dozen European countries.

According to the intelligence services, these facilities could be used as bases for surveillance, sabotage preparation, or covert storage of equipment.

Current and former employees of three European intelligence agencies suggest that some of these facilities may already be storing drones, explosives, weapons, or operating undercover agents.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the number of sabotage incidents linked to Moscow, ranging from arson to attempts to sabotage transport and infrastructure, has risen sharply in Europe. The special services do not rule out that some of the incidents could have been a “rehearsal” for larger-scale operations.

Hiding saboteurs

According to intelligence officials, the Kremlin may be trying to operate below the threshold of open warfare to avoid triggering NATO’s Article 5 on collective defense. The goal is to paralyze transportation, energy, and communications in Alliance countries while retaining the ability to deny involvement.

Blythe Metreveli, head of British MI6 foreign intelligence, previously warned that Russia was “testing the West in a gray zone,” using methods between war and peace.

A case in Finland attracted particular attention in Europe, where the company Airiston Helmi acquired 17 properties near strategic sea routes. During searches in 2018, moorings, surveillance systems, a helipad, and modern communications equipment were found there.

After that, Finland effectively banned Russian and Belarusian citizens from buying real estate. The Baltic states introduced similar restrictions.

Some countries began to close Russian facilities that could be used for reconnaissance. At the same time, many countries, including the UK, still have loopholes in their legislation that allow investors from the Russian Federation to purchase strategic real estate. In Norway and Sweden, Russian entities have also purchased properties near military bases. According to intelligence estimates, some of these could be used for surveillance or to launch drones.