Germany suspects Russian intelligence behind arson attack as hybrid warfare threat grows across Europe
The Munich attack follows attempts to disrupt Germany’s power grid and comes amid mounting evidence of Russian covert operations targeting European countries supporting Ukraine.
German authorities suspect Russian intelligence may have orchestrated an arson attack near defense companies in Munich, as the threat of hybrid warfare grows across Europe. The incident, which occurred near the headquarters of Rohde & Schwarz and Helsing, a defense company that supplies Ukraine’s armed forces, involved two Bulgarian nationals allegedly throwing incendiary devices at a construction site.
No one was injured, and no significant damage was reported. The suspects were placed in pre-trial detention on September 4th. German security authorities have strong indications that so-called "low-level" or disposable agents working for Russian intelligence services could be behind the attack. Such agents are often recruited through intermediaries to carry out individual tasks for payment.
German authorities have also identified other cases where people were allegedly recruited to gather information on defense companies supporting Ukraine. In August, a Ukrainian citizen was arrested in Thuringia for photographing a Bavarian defense company and sending the images to an alleged handler, suggesting potential preparation for a sabotage operation.
Additionally, two people were arrested in March over an alleged plot to spy on a Bavarian drone manufacturer and its director, possibly with the intention of preparing the man's assassination. The Munich attack follows two attempted power-grid sabotage incidents in Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia, involving improvised devices designed to cause short circuits on high-voltage lines.
German authorities are treating these cases as possible terrorism or anti-constitutional sabotage, though they have not established a connection between these attacks and the suspected Russian operation in Munich. As more than 165 suspected sabotage cases and 747 suspicious drone incidents have been recorded in Germany this year, German authorities are investigating multiple forms of hybrid activity rather than assuming a single origin for recent incidents.
These events have come amid a broader increase in suspected sabotage and espionage activity in Germany, with Germany and its allies accusing Russia of being behind various covert operations, including a drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
