Germany links arson attack near Ukraine-supplying drone maker Helsing to Russia's GRU

German investigators suspect Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, orchestrated an arson attack near the Munich offices of defense companies Rohde & Schwarz and Helsing, according to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. The incident occurred on September 3, when incendiary devices were thrown from a car onto a construction site near the headquarters of the two companies.

No one was injured, and the damage was minor. Rohde & Schwarz specializes in secure communications and defense technology, while Helsing develops AI and unmanned systems, including drones utilized by Ukraine in combat.

Following the investigation, police apprehended two Bulgarian citizens—a 28-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man—possibly low-level operatives recruited by Russian intelligence to carry out acts of sabotage in exchange for payment. This marks the second similar incident in a month involving suspected Russian intelligence activity.

In early August, the GRU was suspected of planning an attack on Leipzig Airport. The incident coincides with a surge in suspected sabotage attempts across Europe, which Western officials attribute to Russia.

Denmark reported in early September that Moscow was attempting to enlist Danish citizens for sabotage operations targeting Danish defense firms. Meanwhile, Slovak police detained three foreign nationals in late August over an alleged plot to set fire to a Ukrainian-owned Skyeton factory, which produces advanced surveillance drones. The escalation of suspected Russian sabotage across Europe has raised concerns, with Western officials warning that Europe lacks clear red lines to counter such threats.