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US intelligence agencies are calling on American defense companies to bolster their security measures amid concerns that Russia will intensify sabotage efforts on Ukraine’s allies.
Let’s bring you up to speed: Over the past six months, the United States and its Western allies have reported an increase in sabotage efforts that they attribute to Russia. These actions have targeted critical infrastructure, defense companies, and supply chains supporting Ukraine. Among the recently thwarted plots were arson attacks in the United Kingdom and Poland (through an attempt to smuggle incendiary devices onto cargo planes bound for North America) and an assassination plot against the CEO of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.
What’s going on now: In a memo released by the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), US intelligence agencies warned that the Russian government “has been using its intelligence services to plan and conduct sabotage operations targeting Europe’s defense industrial base – including private industry – in an attempt to undermine Allied support for Ukraine. These operations, in which Russian intelligence services have recruited criminals and other proxies, have included sabotage attacks against European military installations, foreign defense companies, logistics facilities, and public utilities.”
It added, “US companies, particularly those supporting entities involved in the Ukraine conflict or other ongoing geopolitical conflicts, are encouraged to enhance their vigilance and security efforts as a precaution. The joint bulletin provides indicators of potential sabotage activity, mitigation steps, as well as information on where to report incidents.”
This all comes as tensions between the United States and Russia have significantly escalated, with Russian President Vladimir Putin warning that Russia may have to strike military bases of countries providing Ukraine with long-range weapons capable of reaching Russian territory. Recently, the US approved Ukraine’s use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike targets inside Russia, a move seen by Russia as a significant escalation.
Despite Russia accusing the United States of escalating the war, the Pentagon has placed the blame on Russia, pointing to its use of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine.
