Overview: Germany, Lithuania and the Czech Republic as Kremlin sabotage intensifies without needing its own operatives

Europe has recorded dozens of attacks attributed to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The incidents have taken place in countries including Germany, Lithuania and the Czech Republic, as the Kremlin’s sabotage campaign has intensified.

Research by Globsec and the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, published at the beginning of this year, identified 151 Russian sabotage and influence operations over four years. Poland and France recorded the largest numbers.

The reported pattern does not depend mainly on Russian intelligence officers operating directly. Most of the 172 alleged perpetrators were ordinary citizens with no formal connection to Russia’s security services. Money was the most common motivation cited for their actions.