Danish intelligence says Russia preparing sabotage attacks against defense industry

Russian intelligence services are actively preparing sabotage operations against companies in Denmark's defense industry, public broadcaster DR reported Wednesday, citing the Danish intelligence service.

"We see that Danish companies are also targets for concrete Russian sabotage planning, and that Russian intelligence services are actively preparing sabotage operations aimed at the defense industry in Denmark," said Emil Graesholm, head of counterintelligence at the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET).

Graesholm also told Danish newspaper Berlingske that authorities had uncovered specific Russian plans for sabotage operations against companies in Denmark.

"Therefore, this is not just a warning that it might come to Denmark one day. We are already seeing the planning now. Very concretely," he said.

The companies that could be targeted include firms in the defense industry linked to military aid to Ukraine, according to PET.

The intelligence service said it has identified "concrete examples" of Russia attempting to recruit ordinary Danes through social media and other online platforms.

Such individuals could be asked to perform tasks including photographing companies or installations for use in planning sabotage operations, PET said.

"It is extremely serious if ordinary Danes help Russian intelligence services – either intentionally or unknowingly," Graesholm said.

PET said it works closely with Denmark's Defense Intelligence Service and the Danish Agency for Social Security and Preparedness, and regularly updates police districts on the threat assessment.

"We have continuously briefed selected companies and industry organizations on the threat picture, and together with other authorities we have advised on specific security measures," Graesholm said.

He added that the defense industry broadly needed to take the “necessary security measures" to protect itself.

Graesholm said PET considered the threat sufficiently concrete to publicly warn about it.

"It is such a concrete identification and preparation that we find it necessary to go out with the message that it is a threat that must be taken seriously," he said.

The Confederation of Danish Industry said it was taking PET's assessment seriously and was in close contact with relevant authorities.

"The changed threat picture calls for increased attention from companies, but also for calm and proportionality," said Rasmus Anderskouv, head of security and preparedness at the organization.

Anderskouv said companies should assess their specific exposure and ensure their security and emergency preparedness measures were functioning properly.

Flemming Splidsboel, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, described PET's announcement as serious and said the threat was "new," "concrete" and "advanced."

Former Defense Intelligence Service chief analyst Jakob Kaarsbo said PET's decision to speak publicly could be intended to signal to Russia that Danish authorities were aware of its activities.