Danish intelligence uncovers Russian sabotage plans targeting defense firms supplying Ukraine

“The main objective is to stop specific deliveries for Ukraine’s defence,” Emil Græsholm, head of counter-intelligence at PET, told Danish newspaper Berlingske, according to dpa.

“At the same time, the aim is to frighten us so that we no longer support the Ukrainians and do not expand our own defence capabilities,” he said.

PET usually operates without publicly discussing specific threats, but Græsholm said the targets and preparations identified by the intelligence service were concrete enough to make an unusual public warning necessary.

“The selection of targets and the preparations are so specific that we believe it is necessary to go public with the message that this is a threat that must be taken seriously,” he said.

Græsholm cited arson as one possible form of sabotage and urged companies in Denmark’s defense industry to tighten their security measures.

According to PET, Russia is also attempting to recruit “ordinary Danes” to assist with its plans, sometimes without telling them that they are effectively working for Moscow.

Such tasks could initially appear relatively innocuous, including requests to photograph or film companies or facilities. The material could then be used to prepare sabotage operations.

“It could involve taking photos or videos of companies or facilities that can then be used for sabotage plans,” Græsholm said, urging people in Denmark to be wary of such requests.

PET expects the Russian threat to continue growing “in scale and complexity.”

“It is directed against Ukrainian defence manufacturers in Denmark,” Græsholm said. “But we can see that the Russians are generally interested in the defence industry in Denmark.”