US intelligence warns defense companies of Russian sabotage threat

WASHINGTON — U.S. intelligence officials warned U.S. defense companies on Thursday to increase security measures after several acts of sabotage in Europe that officials have blamed on Russia.

The public bulletin One issued by the National Counterintelligence and Security Center advised companies involved in defense work — especially those supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia — to step up their defenses in light of Russia’s escalating aggression toward Ukraine’s allies.

“Russian sabotage activities in Europe increase the risk to U.S. companies abroad and possibly at home,” the officials wrote in the warning. “Such sabotage operations can sow fear and doubt, damage key infrastructure, disrupt commerce or cause injury and death.”

U.S. and European intelligence officials have said that Russia has recently committed several acts of sabotage against European defense companies, logistics facilities, public utilities and military installations. Often, the officials said, Russian intelligence has hired local criminals to carry out the acts, including arsons in the United Kingdom and Poland.

Earlier this month, security officials accused Russia of a plot smuggling of incendiary devices on cargo planes bound for North America, including a plane that caught fire at a courier center in Germany and another plane that caught fire in a warehouse in England.

Together with disinformation and propaganda, it is part of one greater hybrid effort to undermine the ability of Ukraine’s allies to support its defense against Russian invasion.

Russia has denied the allegations. A message left with the Russian embassy in Washington was not immediately returned Thursday.

The National Counterintelligence and Security Center is an agency within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence focused on protecting national assets from intelligence threats. Thursday’s bulletin was issued jointly by the FBI and several Defense Department agencies.