{
  "id": 13927777,
  "title": "Russia is plotting to assassinate defense industry executives in Europe, Western intelligence agencies warn, FT reports",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/russia-is-plotting-to-assassinate-defense-industry-executives-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T09:43:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Meduza (English)",
    "slug": "meduza-english",
    "url": "https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/10/12/russia-is-plotting-to-assassinate-defense-industry-executives-in-europe-western-intelligence-agencies-warn-ft-reports"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Western intelligence services have issued a warning to leaders of European defense firms, stating that Russia is intensifying its efforts to eliminate them physically, according to the Financial Times. The Kremlin has directed an expansion of sabotage and \"hybrid\" activities across Europe to \"significantly undermine support for Kyiv,\" as per the sources cited by the FT. The newspaper reports that Russia is specifically targeting CEOs and other high-ranking officials in defense companies, as well as heads of smaller firms, particularly those involved in drone or drone component production. Companies are responding by enhancing personal security measures for their senior executives. Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, has intensified its collaboration with employees and management at German defense companies, recommending they hire private security teams. Russian military intelligence, believed to be orchestrating the sabotage, has reportedly adapted its methods. The GRU now cooperates more closely with organized crime groups, utilizes cross-border agent networks, and divides tasks among different cells or individuals rather than relying on single agents recruited online. Nevertheless, one FT source describes the actions of Russian agents as \"still amateurish\" and relatively easy to counter. An intelligence official speaking with the journalists believes Russia's primary objective remains psychological, stating that the aim is to make individuals wary of business dealings with Ukraine. In summer 2024, it was reported that Russia had planned the assassination of Armin Papperger, the CEO of German arms company Rheinmetall, which manufactures artillery shells and military equipment for Ukraine. NATO confirmed its awareness of these plans and other instances of sabotage and subversion allegedly carried out by Russia.",
  "summary": "Western intelligence services have warned the heads of European defense companies that Russia is stepping up efforts to physically eliminate them, the Financial Times reported, citing five sources it spoke with.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Polish PM says US and Europe should be more ‘decisive’ on Russia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/polish-pm-says-us-and-europe-should-be-more-decisive-on-russia",
        "published": "2026-10-12T09:38:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}