WASHINGTON — On Thursday, U.S. intelligence officials urged American defense contractors to enhance their security measures in light of several recent sabotage incidents in Europe believed to be orchestrated by Russia.
The National Counterintelligence and Security Center released a public advisory indicating that companies engaged in defense-related activities, especially those that support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, should bolster their protective protocols due to the heightened threats posed by Russian aggression towards Ukraine’s allies.
“The recent sabotage incidents in Europe heighten the danger for U.S. businesses both overseas and potentially within the country,” the officials noted in their alert. “Such acts of sabotage can instill fear and uncertainty, disrupt critical infrastructure, impede commerce, or lead to serious injuries and fatalities.”
Intelligence officials from the U.S. and Europe have reported that Russia has been responsible for several sabotages aimed at European defense contractors, logistics centers, public utilities, and military sites. These activities often involve Russian intelligence collaborating with local criminals to execute various attacks, including arson incidents in the United Kingdom and Poland.
Earlier this month, security authorities implicated Russia in a scheme to illegally transport incendiary devices onto cargo flights destined for North America. This troubling situation featured one incident that ignited at a courier facility in Germany and another that caught fire within a warehouse in England.
Together with disinformation and propaganda efforts, these actions are part of a broader hybrid strategy intended to weaken the capabilities of Ukraine’s allies as they aim to support the nation’s defense amid Russia’s invasion.
Russia has rejected these accusations, and a request for comment left with their embassy in Washington had not been answered by Thursday evening.
The National Counterintelligence and Security Center operates under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and focuses on safeguarding U.S. assets from various intelligence threats. The bulletin released on Thursday was a collaborative effort involving the FBI and multiple agencies from the Department of Defense.