Russia’s Sabotage Campaign Targets Europe, Western Officials Report

A series of sabotage incidents across Europe are being attributed to a campaign orchestrated by Russia, according to Western officials. In November, a train carrying nearly 500 passengers halted abruptly in eastern Poland due to a damaged overhead line and explosives detonated beneath a passing freight train. While there were no injuries and the damage was limited, Poland’s response was swift, deploying 10,000 troops to safeguard critical infrastructure. This incident is part of a broader pattern, with 145 documented cases linked to Russian disruption efforts since the beginning of President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The overarching goal of this campaign appears to be to undermine support for Ukraine, sow discord among European nations, and expose vulnerabilities in the continent’s security framework. Despite the relatively minor damage inflicted so far, officials warn that each act of sabotage depletes valuable security resources. A senior official from a European intelligence service noted that investigations into Russian activities now occupy as much time as counter-terrorism efforts.

Moscow’s strategy involves conducting operations that compel European nations to collaborate extensively on investigations. By utilizing individuals with criminal backgrounds as proxies for Russian operatives, the Kremlin can execute disruptive actions with minimal cost. “It’s a 24/7 operation between all the services to stop it,” remarked a senior intelligence official who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the topic.

The Associated Press has collected information from over 40 European and NATO officials across 13 countries to chart the extent of this hybrid warfare. Incidents included vandalism, cyberattacks, and arson, with a significant increase in arson and explosives plots—from just one in 2023 to 26 in 2024. Six incidents have already been reported in 2025.

Notably, the countries most frequently targeted are those bordering Russia, particularly Poland and Estonia, with additional incidents occurring in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. These nations are prominent supporters of Ukraine. There were indications that the campaign had slowed in late 2024, potentially to align with the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. However, it has now resumed at full scale.

In a revealing case, Yevgeny Ivanov, a Ukrainian believed to be involved in the Polish railway attack, had previously been convicted of collaborating with Russian military intelligence. He left Poland after the incident and had entered the country without Polish authorities being aware of his legal history, as noted by Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński.

The tactics employed by Russian intelligence often involve recruiting individuals from various European countries, a strategy highlighted by Estonian State Prosecutor Triinu Olev-Aas. She noted that the profile of attackers has shifted from locals known to law enforcement to unknown foreigners, complicating investigations. For instance, two individuals hired for attacks in January had never been to Estonia before.

Furthermore, the collaborative efforts among European nations to combat this sabotage campaign have intensified. Prosecutors from the Baltic states have formed joint investigation teams to address attacks linked to foreign intelligence services. In the United Kingdom, police are receiving training to identify potential state-sponsored incidents.

Despite the challenges, officials underscore the importance of cooperation in countering these threats. Even foiled plots serve Moscow’s interests by testing security measures and consuming resources. A notable example involved a Ukrainian man, under orders from Russian military intelligence, attempting to dig up an explosives cache in Lithuania, a plan that was ultimately thwarted but required significant investigative effort.

As the situation evolves, officials remain vigilant. They caution that while current operations might focus on relatively low-level sabotage, the potential for more serious threats remains a concern. Recent incidents of smugglers in Belarus sending weather balloons into Lithuania and Poland further illustrate the ongoing hybrid tactics being employed.

The stakes are high, and as European nations bolster their security measures, the long-term implications of this campaign continue to unfold.