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Danish intelligence warns of concrete Russian sabotage planning against defense firms linked to Ukraine aid

Updated 3 September 2026

Denmark's intelligence service PET said it has observed "very concrete" Russian planning for sabotage against defense companies involved in military aid to Ukraine. PET's head of counter-intelligence Emil Græsholm stated that Russia is recruiting ordinary Danish citizens through social networks to carry out tasks such as photographing facilities, and warned the threat will grow in scope and complexity.

Why it matters

The warning signals that Russian sabotage threats against Western defense industries supporting Ukraine are no longer hypothetical but actively planned. The use of social media to recruit ordinary citizens for tasks like photographing sites points to an expansion of Russia's hybrid toolkit. It comes alongside similar incidents and accusations in Germany, Poland, and Sweden, suggesting a broader coordinated pattern.

What happened

Denmark's domestic intelligence service PET publicly confirmed that it has information on Russian planning for sabotage on Danish territory. Emil Græsholm, head of counter-intelligence at PET, said the agency is observing "very concrete" planning rather than a hypothetical threat. The primary targets are defense industry companies linked to military aid to Ukraine, though PET said Russia is broadly interested in Denmark's defense industry. According to PET, Russia is attempting to recruit ordinary Danish citizens via social networks and online platforms for preparatory tasks such as photographing companies or facilities. Græsholm identified arson as one possible tactic and said Russia's overarching goal is to halt specific defense deliveries to Ukraine and to intimidate Denmark into curbing its support for Ukraine and its own defense expansion. PET expects the threat to further grow "in scope and complexity." The warning follows Germany's September 1 accusation that Russian intelligence services were behind an attempted drone sabotage at Leipzig/Halle Airport near a Ukrainian An-124 aircraft, and Germany's announcement of response measures including closing a Russian consulate. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said a fire at a Polish drone manufacturer's plant was sabotage, and Sweden convened its National Security Council to address similar threats.

How Ukrainian sources describe it

Ukrainian outlets frame the Danish warning through the lens of Russian targeting of defense companies involved in military aid to Ukraine. They connect PET's assessment to recent incidents in Germany, Poland, and Sweden that have been attributed to or linked with Russian activity, presenting them as part of a broader Russian effort to undermine arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Background

German authorities have accused Russian intelligence services of a hybrid attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport involving an explosive drone near a Ukrainian An-124 aircraft, prompting diplomatic response measures. Poland has reported a sabotage-related fire at a drone manufacturer's plant. Sweden convened its National Security Council to address similar threats.

Sources