Against the backdrop of a stalemate on the front in Ukraine and growing pressure on the Russian economy, the Kremlin, according to Western intelligence, has ordered an expansion of sabotage and “hybrid” operations in Europe. The goal is to undermine support for Kyiv in the coming months. One of the key elements of these plans is attempts at the physical elimination of top managers of defence enterprises.
As the Financial Times reports, citing representatives of five European intelligence services, physical attacks on civilians in Europe — a tool that was previously considered taboo even among Russian special services — are now becoming an increasingly important part of Moscow’s strategy. The targets include not only the heads of major defence concerns, but also top managers and key employees of smaller companies, especially those that produce drones or components for them.
European defence companies are significantly strengthening the personal security of their executives. Several top managers anonymously told the FT that over the past six months they have enhanced security measures on the direct recommendation of government agencies. Some companies are considering relocating production sites to reduce risks.
Tensions have persisted since early 2024, when American and German intelligence services thwarted a Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, CEO of the German concern Rheinmetall — one of the key suppliers of weapons to Ukraine. Later, a senior NATO representative publicly confirmed that this plot was part of a broader series of plans against leaders of the European defence industry. Since then, Papperger has been under heightened protection.
The head of Germany’s domestic intelligence service (BfV), Sinan Selen, told lawmakers this week that Russia is deliberately planning acts of violence against individuals by state or state-controlled actors. According to intelligence assessments, even unsuccessful assassination attempts have an effect: they create an atmosphere of fear and force companies and their employees to “think twice” before expanding cooperation with Ukraine.
The Kremlin traditionally denies involvement in such operations. Western intelligence agencies, however, note a rise in hybrid activities — from arson and sabotage to surveillance and the preparation of assassination attempts — and believe that Moscow is increasingly using both professional operatives and “disposable” agents recruited through criminal networks or online.
