Russia intensifies its shadow war as spy chief warns of more sabotage targeting defense industry

European countries increasingly find themselves caught in a shadow war, with Russian agents and hired criminals accused of carrying out sabotage, espionage, cyberattacks and influence campaigns.

Russia is accused of turning to assassination plots, arson and explosives in an effort to halt Europe’s support for Ukraine. The alleged attacks are directed at the infrastructure and industries that help sustain that support, including the defense sector.

The activity remains below the threshold of what would normally be considered an armed attack. That distinction matters because NATO’s Article 5 treats an armed attack against one or more members in Europe or North America as an attack against them all, triggering the alliance’s collective-defense principle.

The assessment reflects growing concern among European authorities that hostile activity can be conducted through covert networks without crossing the line into an open military confrontation. The warning focuses particularly on the possibility of further sabotage against the defense industry.