Russia is preparing sabotage against Danish defense enterprises linked to aid to Ukraine - intelligence

Russian special services are actively preparing sabotage against enterprises of Denmark's defense industry, primarily companies linked to the supply of military aid to Ukraine. The preparation is already so concrete that the threat must be taken seriously, the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) said.

This was reported by the head of PET counterintelligence, Emil Gressholm. According to him, among the possible scenarios being considered by Russian special services are arson attacks on defense industry facilities.

Russia pays special attention to enterprises related to military support for Ukraine. Danish intelligence services have also recorded attempts to involve ordinary citizens of the country in preparatory work.

In particular, Russian intelligence tried to recruit Danes to collect information about access to plants and enterprises, their operating regimes, and security measures. PET urged defense companies to strengthen the protection of their facilities. 

PET explains that physical sabotage is one of the tools of Russia's hybrid activities in Europe. Danish counterintelligence believes that one of the goals of such operations is an attempt to hinder specific deliveries to Ukraine, as well as to sow fear in European societies and weaken political and public support for Kyiv.

According to the service's assessment, Russia uses recruited operatives and intermediaries for such operations, so the selection of specific targets can be situational. In other European countries, people linked to Russia have already been suspected of arson and other sabotage against warehouses, factories, commercial and transport facilities. 

At the same time, PET emphasizes that it is not yet aware of confirmed cases of physical sabotage by Russia directly on Danish territory. The new data concern precisely the preparation and planning of such operations.

Denmark is of particular importance for Ukrainian defense industry. The country became the first NATO state to agree to host production of a Ukrainian defense company on its territory. Ukrainian Fire Point is preparing an enterprise in Denmark for the production of rocket fuel components. Copenhagen also participates in international programs for the development of Ukrainian defense production.

PET already raised the threat assessment of Russian physical sabotage in Denmark in May 2024. At that time, the service directly linked the increased risk to active military support for Ukraine and warned that targets could be both military and civilian objects related to such assistance.

Danish intelligence services also believe that Russia has been collecting information about critical infrastructure of Western states for a long time. According to PET's assessment, Moscow likely has pre-prepared sabotage plans against individual infrastructure facilities in Denmark that could be activated in the event of further escalation of the conflict with the West.

Based on materials from: The Copenhagen Post / Ritzau, Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET)