Financial Times: Alarm grows over Russian operations targeting European defense industry leaders

European defense companies are stepping up security measures for their executives after intelligence services warned that Russia is targeting people at the helm of firms providing military support to Ukraine.

The risk extends beyond major arms manufacturers: small businesses producing drones and various components could also be targeted. This is driving up security costs across the sector.

The Financial Times reports that officials from five European intelligence agencies have confirmed that Kremlin operatives are increasingly focusing on chief executives and other senior leaders of defense companies.

The actions are seen as part of the expansion of Russia’s sabotage campaign and hybrid operations across the continent. In particular, German lawmakers have been warned that Russia aims to organize acts of violence against individuals by employing state actors or groups under its control.

The methods, targets and participants in these operations are constantly changing. Meanwhile, the use of organized crime networks is becoming more common.

Intelligence services say a significant portion of the plans involves what Russian agents call “wet work”, a term for violent actions that also include contract killings.