European Spy Agencies: Russia Steps Up Assassination Plots Against Defense Executives
European intelligence agencies say Moscow is expanding covert operations against defense industry leaders. The aim is to intimidate companies supplying weapons to Ukraine and weaken support for Kyiv.
European intelligence agencies warn that Russia is expanding covert operations against the leaders of European defense companies, including assassination plots. Euromaidan Press, a media outlet supportive of Ukraine, reported this on 11 October 2026, citing the Financial Times.
According to the agencies, Moscow's goal is to intimidate companies that supply weapons to Ukraine and thereby weaken support for Kyiv in the war Russia launched. The headline of the report stresses that such plots were once considered taboo but are now escalating as Russia's hybrid warfare grows bolder.
Hybrid warfare refers to methods short of open military conflict, such as covert operations and pressure on states and companies. The available source text gives no further details on specific incidents, targets or countries.
