European authorities link sabotage incidents to Russia

Authorities across Europe are investigating a series of sabotage incidents that they link to Russian interests. Reported events include the discovery of explosives on the Serbian-Hungarian border, an IKEA store fire in Lithuania, a drone with an explosive device found at Leipzig Airport, and a warehouse fire in London containing equipment for Ukraine.

Experts have recorded more than 180 similar attacks since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Research from Leiden University suggests Russia is conducting a campaign of "covert actions" designed to undermine European support for Ukraine. These operations often utilize "low-level operatives," typically non-Russian citizens, to carry out tasks.

In Serbia, individuals have already been convicted for espionage in favor of Russia and for inciting incidents targeting Jewish and Muslim communities in France and Germany. Kacper Rekawek of the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism in The Hague noted that the primary ambition behind these acts is to punish European nations for their support of Ukraine.