Western intelligence warns Russia is plotting to assassinate European defense industry executives

Western intelligence services have warned the heads of European defense companies that Russia is intensifying efforts to physically eliminate them, according to the Financial Times (FT), which cited five sources. The warning matters because it concerns firms that produce weapons and military equipment used to support Ukraine.

The Kremlin's aims

The FT's sources said the Kremlin has ordered a broader campaign of sabotage and so-called hybrid operations in Europe in order to "fatally weaken support for Kyiv." Assassination attempts against civilians in Europe are reportedly becoming a more prominent part of these plans.

According to the sources, Moscow is targeting chief executives and other senior managers at defense companies, as well as heads of smaller firms, especially those making drones or drone components.

Response from companies and agencies

Companies have responded by strengthening personal security for top executives. Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, has stepped up its work with staff and management at German defense firms, including recommending that they hire private security details.

Russian military intelligence, the GRU, is believed to be responsible for planning and carrying out the sabotage. FT sources said it has recently adapted its methods: operatives now work more closely with organized crime groups, use cross-border agent networks, and divide reconnaissance, logistics, planning and execution among different cells or individuals, rather than relying on lone agents recruited online.

Still, one FT source said the Russian agents' actions were in many cases "still amateurish" and easy to thwart. An intelligence official said Russia's main goal "is still psychological": merely making people feel they could be targets is enough to make them think twice before doing business with Ukraine.

An earlier case

In summer 2024, it was reported that Russia had planned to assassinate Armin Papperger, the head of German arms maker Rheinmetall, which among other things produces artillery shells and military equipment for Ukraine. NATO later confirmed it had known about those plans, as well as other instances of sabotage and subversion believed to be orchestrated by Russia.