Russia is preparing new acts of sabotage in Europe under a “false flag”

Russian intelligence agencies are preparing a series of new acts of sabotage and hybrid provocations in Central and Eastern European countries, as well as in the Baltic region, with the aim of discrediting Ukraine and weakening its international support. Source: Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

According to Ukrainian military intelligence, the Kremlin plans to use “false flag” tactics, with responsibility for orchestrated acts of sabotage and destruction being attributed to Ukraine’s Defense Forces and intelligence agencies through propaganda channels and international platforms.

Russian agencies are considering critical infrastructure facilities, border areas with Russia, the Kaliningrad exclave, and regions in EU countries with large Russian-speaking populations as potential targets for provocations. Also under threat are facilities under the Kremlin’s direct or indirect control, including the network of Russian Orthodox Church institutions and historical monuments associated with Russia.

The main objectives of these special operations are to intimidate European governments, stoke public fears across the EU, and create artificial pretexts for ending military and financial aid to Kyiv.

Ukrainian intelligence stresses that these actions continue an October 2026 directive from the Russian leadership to sharply intensify hybrid pressure on EU and NATO countries. Alongside preparations for physical acts of sabotage, Moscow is actively conducting information and psychological operations. In particular, to conceal its own war crimes in the temporarily occupied territories of Kherson Oblast and shift the focus, the Kremlin organized the “Telemost” propaganda operation, enlisting international representatives to spread disinformation.

Recall, Russia tripled the number of acts of sabotage in Europe, Czechia says.