U.S. Defense Firms Are Warned About Russia’s Sabotage Campaign
U.S. officials warned on Thursday that Russia may be targeting American defense companies in a potentially stepped-up sabotage campaign.
The new warning said that Russia’s intelligence services had conducted sabotage operations against European defense companies “in an attempt to undermine Allied support for Ukraine.”
Russia’s campaign, officials said, increases the risk to American companies overseas and, at least potentially, in the United States.
The warning was issued by the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, which advises American businesses on intelligence threats from potential adversaries.
The center often warns about attempts by the Russian and Chinese governments to steal intellectual property or potential cyberthreats against American businesses.
The alert issued on Thursday urged executives at defense companies to be on the lookout for surveillance near their facilities and staff, as well as for signs of trespassing or vandalism. Intelligence officials also said defense firms should be extra watchful for potential disruptions and should increase their physical and online security.
In addition to protecting sites, the center suggested bolstering personal security for executives and other key employees.
The warning, according to people briefed on the matter, was spurred in part by concern about a Russian attempt to assassinate the head of a German arms maker.
In the notice published on Thursday, the center said defense company officials should be careful when discussing travel plans, vary their routes to and from work, and report suspicious incidents.
“Those involved in work tied to Ukraine or other geopolitical conflicts should be cautious about disclosing work, travel, personal and family information online,” the warning said. “Adversaries can use this information to identify access, location and personal vulnerabilities.”
The warning highlighted Britain’s arrest of several people in an arson attack in March on a business linked to Ukraine, and Poland’s announcement in June that it had arrested 18 people accused of plotting sabotage attacks on behalf of Russia.
In addition, Western officials previously warned that Russia had plotted to plant incendiary devices in cargo planes and was potentially planning to set off those devices in U.S. warehouses or on planes bound for the United States.
So far all of Russia’s known sabotage attacks have taken place in Europe, although Russian intelligence has targeted many countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Lithuania and beyond. But some officials believe that Russia wants to expand its sabotage campaign to the United States, particularly if the Biden administration in its closing weeks continues to support Ukraine in its war against Russia or takes steps that Russia sees as escalatory.
A small fire at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania in September, and another incident at the same site in April, set off concerns that Russia had extended its campaign to the United States. But officials believe those fires were an accident, not sabotage.
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