Russia plans to eliminate top management of European defence firms

Intelligence records change in Kremlin tactics

Western intelligence services have issued warnings to the leadership of European defence corporations: Russia is intensifying attempts to physically eliminate their top management. This is reported by the Financial Times, citing sources in five European intelligence agencies.

The publication notes that due to the stalemate on the battlefield in Ukraine and economic difficulties in the Russian Federation, the Kremlin has ordered an expansion of the scale of sabotage and “hybrid” operations in Europe. The main goal is to fatally weaken support for Kyiv in the coming months.

«Вбивства європейських цивільних об’єктів, які колись вважалися табуйованими навіть російськими розвідувальними службами, стають дедалі помітнішою частиною цих планів» (The killing of European civilian targets, which were once considered taboo even by Russian intelligence services, is becoming an increasingly prominent part of these plans)

In the enemy’s sights are not only top managers of major giants, but also heads of small enterprises, especially those specialising in the production of drones and their components.

Germany strengthens security

The German domestic intelligence service (BfV) has significantly expanded its work with employees and management of German defence companies. A BfV official stated that the service recommends companies use private personal security groups.

BfV head Sinan Selen warned German lawmakers on Monday:

«Росія займається свідомим плануванням актів насильства проти окремих осіб із залученням державних або підконтрольних державі суб’єктів. Ми спостерігаємо подальший розвиток цих дій щодо цілей, методів та залучених суб’єктів, включно з використанням структур організованої злочинності» (Russia is engaged in the deliberate planning of acts of violence against specific individuals involving state or state-controlled entities. We observe further development of these actions regarding targets, methods and involved entities, including the use of organised crime structures)

One senior European intelligence official stated: “The level of threat in Europe has increased. Both for property and for people”.

New methods of Russian intelligence

FT sources note that Russian military intelligence (the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, formerly the GRU), which is responsible for elimination operations, is adapting its methods. Instead of relying on individual “disposable” agents recruited online for money, GRU officers are cooperating more closely with organised criminal groups.

Transnational agent networks are being used, and intelligence, logistics, planning and execution are distributed among different cells or individuals.

Several defence industry executives, who remained anonymous, told the Financial Times that over the past six months they have strengthened personal security measures on specific advice from government security services. Others noted that such measures were applied only during trips abroad.

Psychological pressure as an influence tool

Security service representatives emphasised that a key part of the Russian approach is that assassination attempts do not necessarily have to be carried out for the campaign to have the desired effect.

«Головна мета з російської точки зору все ще психологічна. Лише змушуючи людей відчувати, що вони можуть стати мішенню, вони вже досягають свого ефекту. Вони хочуть, щоб люди двічі подумали, перш ніж вести справи з Україною» (The main goal from the Russian point of view is still psychological. Just by making people feel that they could become a target, they already achieve their effect. They want people to think twice before doing business with Ukraine)

Security experts report an increase in the number of requests from defence companies, as well as enterprises in the critical infrastructure and energy sectors, regarding ways to protect their European employees.