Rising tensions: Europe accuses Russia of hybrid sabotage attacks

Security services claim that the wave of fires and attacks on infrastructure may be part of a Russian plan to destabilize the continent, reports "The Guardian." The British newspaper emphasizes that, in light of recent events, European services have been placed on "high alert."

Media across Europe are reporting acts of sabotage aimed at European countries. As the British newspaper The Guardian reported, security services claim that the wave of fires and attacks on infrastructure may be part of a systemic attempt by Russia to destabilize the continent.

The newspaper recalls a series of unsettling events in Europe. It emphasizes that after the outbreak of a fire at Ikea in Vilnius, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggested that the arson could have been the work of a "foreign saboteur."

While there is no evidence that any of these incidents across the continent are coordinated, security services believe they could be part of an attempt by Moscow to destabilise the west, which has backed Ukraine, writes "The Guardian."

In the age of social media, Russian special services may have changed tactics. Today, reaching potential individuals who will follow any order for the right price is easier.

"The Guardian" emphasizes that emerging concerns that the hybrid attacks may be Russia's work are so significant that the issue was raised this week at a summit of foreign and defence ministers in Brussels.

However, as "The Guardian" reminds us, the number of sabotage operations is more significant. Among their targets were a warehouse in the United Kingdom, a paint factory in Poland, and an Ikea store in Vilnius. The newspaper also recalls a series of cyberattacks in Germany by hackers linked to Russian intelligence.

Last month, two German-Russian nationals were arrested on suspicion of plotting sabotage attacks including on a military base in Bavaria. The main suspect has been accused of plotting an explosion, arson and maintaining contact with Russian intelligence, recalls "The Guardian."

Europe is trying to defend itself. The British newspaper notes that the Lithuanian National Crisis Management Center warned businesses, including shopping centers and organizations supporting Ukraine, to increase vigilance. Meanwhile, the Dutch National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism warned of the risk of subversive operations in the Netherlands.

"Yes, we are vulnerable. I think all of us are. [...] We are seeing now in several European countries that Russia is trying to destabilize us and also to intimidate us," said Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren recently. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has similar observations, admitting that "we have seen increased Russian intelligence activity across the alliance."