Russia Steps Up Sabotage Against Danish Defense Companies — Danish Intelligence

A Danish intelligence official said Russia has launched sabotage operations against Danish companies that supply defense products to Ukraine.

Josefine Kristensen, lead analyst with the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET), made the statement during a domestic security conference in Copenhagen, Reuters reported.

Kristensen said the shift indicates a significant escalation in the hybrid warfare being waged by Moscow.

“What ​we saw in the spring was a lot of planning, but very little ​carried out; what we saw in early summer is that they started ⁠to carry out a lot more,” she said.

According to her, Russia concluded that its previous large-scale attacks “did not have the effect of deterring the Western (military alliance) NATO from supporting Ukraine.”

The PET representative said Moscow retains political control over the operations, but operational boldness is increasing.
She said Russia is now “trying to hit targets that have a direct impact on the front line.”

“That means weapons production,” Kristensen said.

She also said Russia is increasingly using untrained accomplices, including homeless people and drug addicts, who are recruited via Telegram and other social media platforms.

According to PET, recruitment usually begins with simple tasks such as reconnaissance or taking photographs and then escalates into actual sabotage operations.

“It could be anyone just looking for quick money. If the first person isn’t successful, they’ll throw another one at the problem ​until they ⁠succeed,” she added.

The sabotage operations are taking place in various EU countries. In September, unknown saboteurs in the Netherlands disrupted rail services.