Security services across Europe are on high alert due to a series of mysterious fires and infrastructure attacks in the Baltics, Germany, and the UK. Authorities suspect these incidents might be part of Russia's efforts to destabilize the continent through arson and sabotage.
The situation gained attention when Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hinted that a fire in an Ikea store in Vilnius, Lithuania, could have been the work of a foreign saboteur. Investigators are considering potential Russian involvement in various incidents, including an arson attack in East London, the destruction of Poland's largest shopping mall, a sabotage attempt in Bavaria, Germany, and antisemitic graffiti in Paris.
Although there is no concrete evidence linking these events, security services believe they could be part of a broader strategy by Moscow to destabilize the West, which supports Ukraine. Unlike traditional foreign intelligence operations that relied on spies, the modern era sees vandals hired through social media, paid with cash or cryptocurrency, making connections between attackers difficult to trace.
The concern over these hybrid attacks was significant enough to be discussed at a summit of foreign and defense ministers in Brussels. Dutch, Estonian, and Lithuanian security officials warned of their nations' vulnerabilities. One unnamed minister expressed deep worry about organized and financed sabotage by Russian proxies, including beatings and arson.
In April, a British man was accused of orchestrating an arson attack on businesses linked to a Ukrainian businessman in East London, allegedly recruited by Russian intelligence. The Crown Prosecution Service claimed he targeted these businesses to benefit the Russian state.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur revealed that his country had also fallen victim to Russian sabotage, citing attacks on vehicles belonging to the interior minister and a journalist. Six people, including Russian nationals, were arrested.
Germany has faced similar suspicions of foreign intelligence-driven attacks, alongside a wave of cyber-attacks by a hacker group linked to Russian intelligence. Recently, two German-Russian nationals were arrested for plotting sabotage attacks, including on a military base in Bavaria.
These incidents are part of a broader disinformation campaign. For example, several schools in Athens were evacuated due to a bomb hoax traced to a Russian server, aimed at disrupting public order.
EU countries are closely monitoring these events. Lithuania's national crisis management center (NKVC) has warned businesses and organizations supporting Ukraine to heighten their vigilance. Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the NKVC, stated that the threat level is quite high and urged the public to remain vigilant.
The Dutch national coordinator for security and counter-terrorism warned of subversive operations in the Netherlands, including espionage and potential sabotage of vital infrastructure. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren accused Russia of trying to intimidate NATO countries.
In France, investigators are exploring whether graffiti on Paris's Holocaust memorial last week was ordered by Russian security services. This incident echoes an attack last year when the Star of David was spray-painted on buildings around Paris, raising fears of Nazi-era attempts to identify Jewish homes.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has also pointed to Moscow, citing increased Russian intelligence activity across the alliance and subsequent arrests for arson and sabotage. In response, NATO has heightened its vigilance.
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