Russia Launches Manhunt for Europe’s Top Defense Executives, FT Reports
Intelligence officials said the campaign aims to intimidate executives and disrupt European military supplies to Ukraine.
- Western intelligence services have warned leaders of European defense companies that Russia is intensifying efforts to physically eliminate them, with the Kremlin ordering operations to "fatally weaken support for Kyiv," the Financial Times reported.
- Russian military intelligence, the GRU, is responsible for planning and carrying out the sabotage, having recently adapted methods to work closely with organized crime groups and rely on cross-border agent networks.
- In summer 2024, Russia allegedly planned the assassination of Armin Papperger, CEO of the German arms company Rheinmetall, which produces artillery shells and military equipment for Ukraine.
- Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, has stepped up work with defense companies to bolster security for senior executives, while NATO confirmed it was aware of these sabotage and subversion plans.
- Despite the intensified threats, one Financial Times source noted that the actions of Russian agents "were still amateurish" in many cases and are easy to thwart.
149 Articles
149 Articles
Russia is plotting to assassinate defense industry executives in Europe, Western intelligence agencies warn, FT reports
Western intelligence services have warned the heads of European defense companies that Russia is stepping up efforts to physically eliminate them, the Financial Times reported, citing five sources it spoke with.
Russia Suspected of Planning Attacks on European Defence Industry Leaders
Western intelligence services have warned European defence industry executives that Russia is intensifying alleged plans to target them, the Financial Times reported. Some companies have strengthened personal protection for senior staff amid concerns over possible attacks and surveillance.
The information gathered points to the possibility that Russian officials are studying attacks on European citizens, as well as operations directed at companies and leaders linked to the military industry.
Warnings have been issued that Russia is expanding assassination plots targeting CEOs and senior executives of European defense companies supplying weapons to Ukraine. This suggests that Russia is directly threatening defense industry officials to weaken European military support for Ukraine. On the 11th (local time), the Financial Times (FT), citing officials from five European intelligence agencies, reported that Russia is targeting executives…
Western intelligence agencies have warned executives at European defense firms that Russia is stepping up efforts to destroy them, prompting the companies to implement stricter measures to protect their top executives, the Financial Times reported.
Reformatorisch Dagblad
Western intelligence agencies have warned leaders of the European defense sector about the increasing risk of assassination attempts by Russia. This is reported by the business newspaper Financial Times, which spoke with sources at five European intelligence agencies.
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