Last week, US military bases across Europe were placed on high alert following intelligence indicating potential sabotage attacks by Russian-backed actors. This marked the first time in a decade that such measures were taken.
The intelligence received by the US suggested that Russia was considering using proxies to target US bases and military personnel, similar to recent plots in Europe. In April, two individuals were arrested in Germany for allegedly planning bomb and arson attacks on US military facilities on behalf of Russia.
The alarming intelligence prompted the implementation of additional safety protocols, with several US military bases in Europe raising their alert level to Force Protection Condition “Charlie,” indicating a likely terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities.
NATO has also increased intelligence sharing on Russia’s covert sabotage activities in Europe, which have escalated in recent months. The alliance noted a rise in brazen and aggressive acts amid elections in the West, providing Russia with an opportunity to undermine support for Ukraine.
While US European Command did not specify the reason for the heightened alert, it emphasized that the vigilance was due to various factors impacting the safety and security of US forces in Europe.
The threat of Russia-backed sabotage has become more pronounced, with a series of arson attacks and bombing plots linked to Russia in cities like Riga, London, Warsaw, Prague, and Paris. By using local actors for these attacks, Russia aims to engage in hybrid warfare below the threshold of traditional state conflict.
A senior NATO official described the current sabotage campaign as more aggressive than anything seen since the Cold War, involving actions like sabotage, assassination plots, and arson resulting in loss of life.
