A report by the RUSI think tank exposes a significant rise in Russian hybrid warfare sabotage operations across NATO countries since the invasion of Ukraine, with Russia recruiting ‘disposable agents’ many from Ukraine and other European countries to perform acts ranging from graffiti to murder. These agents are paid between £10 for minor vandalism to £7,000 for murder. Recent attacks include arson at Poland’s largest shopping centre, explosions on a critical Poland-Ukraine rail link, sabotage of electrical infrastructure in the UK, booby-trapped parcels in Germany, and the downing of a DHL cargo plane in Lithuania. Recruitment occurs remotely via encrypted platforms such as Telegram and Viber, demonstrating a shift to a ‘gig-economy era’ of sabotage that is cost-effective and deniable. The campaign aims to disrupt support for Ukraine and test NATO’s red lines, with at least 110 incidents linked to Russia since 2022. The UK Ministry of Defence emphasizes increasing defence spending and investment in drone and counter-drone systems to prepare for high-intensity conflicts expected in Europe.
Category: Military & Paramilitary Operations
Subcategory: Unconventional / Paramilitary
Incident Type: Proxy forces, militias, mercenaries (e.g. Wagner-type groups)
Country: United Kingdom
Source report: www.thesun.co.uk/news/3790…
