US intelligence officials have issued a stark warning to American defence companies, particularly those aiding Ukraine in its war against Russia, to strengthen their security measures against potential sabotage activities linked to Moscow.
The advisory, released on Thursday by the National Counterintelligence and Security Centre (NCSC), highlights growing concerns over Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics targeting Ukraine’s allies.
The bulletin stated, “Russia’s sabotage activities in Europe increase the risk to US companies abroad and potentially at home. ” It cautioned that such actions could disrupt infrastructure and commerce and cause significant harm.
The warning was jointly issued by the FBI and multiple department of defense agencies.
US and European intelligence agencies have linked Russia to several sabotage incidents across Europe, including arson attacks in the United Kingdom and Poland, reported the news agency AP. Officials revealed that Russian intelligence often hires local criminals to execute these operations.
Earlier this year, UK authorities charged several individuals for an arson attack on a Ukraine-linked business in London, allegedly orchestrated by Russian intelligence.
Similarly, Polish authorities arrested nearly two dozen people for plotting acts of sabotage, including arson, reportedly on behalf of Russia and Belarus.
Notably, Western security officials suspect Russian intelligence was behind a plot to smuggle incendiary devices onto cargo planes bound for North America. This included devices that ignited at a courier hub in Germany and a warehouse in England.
Moscow has denied these allegations, and no immediate threat to US-bound flights has been reported.
The NCSC has advised US companies to enhance their security protocols, conduct routine incident response exercises, and provide employees with regular security training. Employees are also urged to limit the sharing of personal and professional information online, as adversaries could exploit these details to identify vulnerabilities.
As per Newsweek, the bulletin also emphasised that “those involved in work tied to Ukraine or other geopolitical conflicts should be cautious about disclosing work, travel, personal, and family information online. “
