Russia steps up assassination attempts targeting defence company executives in Europe, FT says

What Happened

European intelligence services have warned executives at defence companies across Europe that Russia is stepping up assassination attempts against them as part of an effort to intimidate Ukraine's partners, according to a Financial Times report cited by European Pravda. Representatives of five unnamed European intelligence services said the Kremlin has ordered an expansion of sabotage and hybrid operations in Europe to significantly weaken support for Kyiv in the coming months. The intelligence sources attributed responsibility for potential assassinations largely to the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency, and said Russian officers are increasingly working with organised crime groups and using cross-border agent networks that divide intelligence gathering, logistics, planning and execution among different cells. Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) head Sinan Selen told German lawmakers that Russia is engaged in the deliberate planning of acts of violence against individuals by state or state-controlled actors and that methods now include the use of organised crime structures. The BfV has significantly stepped up engagement with German defence company employees and executives, including recommending private close-protection teams. Several executives told the FT they have increased personal security over the past six months; intelligence sources said some active plots have been uncovered and thwarted, and in other cases surveillance of individuals' daily routines at home and work has been observed.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The reported expansion of assassination plots signals a shift in Russian hybrid operations against European NATO states, moving from espionage and sabotage to lethal targeting of private-sector executives involved in arming Ukraine. If companies and executives curtail work with Ukraine out of fear, it could directly reduce European defence production and supply to Kyiv at a critical phase of the war. The use of organised crime networks and compartmentalised agent cells makes detection and attribution harder for European security services.

Watch For

Monitor whether European governments or NATO publicly attribute specific plots or thwarted operations to the GRU; the status of the Swedish investigation into the Russian couple detained in early August near a property linked to Saab CEO Micael Johansson; announcements from defence companies or BfV on expanded personal security measures; and possible diplomatic or sanctions responses from EU member states.