Western intelligence agencies are increasingly sounding the alarm about Russia's aggressive hybrid warfare tactics in Europe.
Risk Level Has Changed
On Tuesday, the head of Norway’s intelligence service, Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensønes, warned that the Kremlin is becoming more daring in its sabotage efforts across the continent, according to Digi24.
"The risk level has changed," Stensønes told Reuters. "We believe sabotage is much more likely now, and we’re seeing acts of sabotage happening in Europe, which suggests this development is in motion." His remarks are part of a growing wave of concern about Moscow’s covert activities in the region.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Western intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned about the threat of Russian espionage.
One significant incident occurred in May when Russian saboteurs allegedly set fire to a Berlin factory that manufactures air defense systems for Ukraine. The attack was seen as an attempt to disrupt arms shipments to Kyiv.
Denied Involvement
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has also criticized Russia’s ongoing "campaign of hostile activities against NATO allies."
In June, just before a joint effort by U.S. and German intelligence services uncovered and foiled a Russian assassination plot against the CEO of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, Stoltenberg highlighted the growing threat.
The Kremlin has denied any involvement in acts of sabotage or espionage, but Western intelligence agencies remain on high alert as hybrid warfare tactics appear to be escalating.
