Putin expands European hit list! Drone military factories are also being targeted, and corporate executives sound the alarm

File photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Financial Times quoted a European intelligence agency official as saying that Russia is expanding its sabotage operations and assassination threats in Europe and may target senior executives of defense companies and manufacturers of small drones. (AP)

Russia's assassination threats against the European defense industry have increased, and those that may be targeted are no longer just senior executives of large defense companies, but also smaller manufacturers of drones and components. Some European defense companies have improved their security standards, and some have even moved production facilities to other locations.

The Financial Times reported on the 11th that the Kremlin had ordered an expansion of sabotage and "hybrid warfare" operations in Europe, citing officials from five European intelligence agencies. Intelligence officials have warned that Russia's actions not only target property but may also threaten the personal safety of those involved in an attempt to undermine European support for Ukraine by sowing fear.

One European intelligence official said that even if the assassination was not carried out, the threat itself could have an intimidation effect and make companies hesitate before deciding whether to cooperate with Ukraine. The report pointed out that in addition to the CEOs and senior managers of large defense companies, the targets targeted by Russia also include smaller military industrial companies, especially manufacturers of drones and their components.

Restart the blood-stained "wet job" and collude with gangsters to commit crimes

This type of operation, known in the Russian intelligence community as "wet work" (meaning assassination missions with blood on the hands), is mainly planned by the Russian Military Intelligence Service (GRU). Intelligence pointed out that Russia has recently significantly adjusted its operation mode. In addition to strengthening its efforts to bribe local organized crime groups in Europe to assist in committing crimes, it has also begun to establish a transnational espionage network, splitting tasks such as monitoring daily whereabouts, logistical support, and execution of assassinations among different groups to avoid being traced by law enforcement agencies.

Intelligence agencies in various European countries have recently disrupted some assassination plots and discovered that Russian agents had intensively monitored the homes and offices of certain military industry executives. Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), has proactively intervened and recommended that defense-related companies hire personal guards for senior executives. Several executives of European defense start-up companies revealed that they have significantly upgraded their personal security in the past six months in compliance with government warnings, and some executives even dare to show up only when traveling cross-border business.

According to an analysis by the global security consulting firm Control Risks, Russian threats are spreading from the large military-industrial complex to the lower reaches of the supply chain, including drone startups, critical energy and infrastructure contractors, all facing unprecedented security threats.

However, high private security costs have placed a heavy financial burden on small and medium-sized military industry start-ups; a Western defense company executive confirmed that a production facility in Western Europe has recently been quietly moved to a new location to prevent attacks by Russian spies.