Russia escalated sabotage operations against European targets

Russia has increased its sabotage efforts to pressure the United States and its allies regarding Ukraine, a new study reveals. This report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies indicates that Russia's attacks in Europe surged, quadrupling from 2022 to 2023 and then tripling again in 2024. The study highlights that Russia has targeted key infrastructure, such as undersea cables and railways. Seth G. Jones, the author of the study, noted that these covert attacks are part of a broader strategy linked to its ongoing military actions in Ukraine. He mentioned that rather than direct military aggression towards countries like Estonia or Finland, Russia has focused on inflicting harm on companies and officials in nations supporting Ukraine. Despite the recent escalation, a Western official indicated that Russia's sabotage activities have diminished in the weeks leading up to the report. However, experts warn that these operations could resume if European governments announce new military aid for Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk drew attention to Russia's involvement in recent fires at shopping centers in Warsaw and Vilnius, reinforcing the idea that Moscow can impose costs on nations assisting Ukraine. As the U.S. seems to be rethinking its level of support for Ukraine, the effectiveness of Russia's covert campaign in influencing allies' decisions remains to be seen.