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Russia is “actively” preparing sabotage operations against Denmark, particularly its defense industry, the head of the Danish intelligence service said Thursday.
The warning came after European Union countries summoned Russian envoys and discussed fresh sanctions following an explosive-laden drone incident in Germany that the bloc’s foreign policy chief said bore the marks of “state-sponsored terrorism.”
Russia has in recent months been accused of increasing sabotage attacks against European backers of Ukraine, as Moscow’s forces stall on the front line of the war launched by the Kremlin in 2022.
“The Russians are actively preparing sabotage operations targeting the defense industry in Denmark,” Emil Graesholm, head of counterintelligence at the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET), told Danish newspaper Berlingske.
“It is fundamentally important that the defense industry, in the broad sense, take the necessary security measures so that it is able to protect itself,” he told broadcaster TV2.
“Many actors in the sector are already actively working on this,” he added.
Graesholm said Russian security services are seeking to recruit “completely ordinary Danes” for missions.
Such missions could include taking photos, checking access points, and reporting on security conditions around facilities.
“We are talking about the methods, because they don't need to look like a spy movie,” he told Berlingske.
Public broadcaster DR also reported that Russian intelligence services were actively preparing sabotage operations against companies in Denmark’s defense industry, citing PET.
“We see that Danish companies are also targets for concrete Russian sabotage planning, and that Russian intelligence services are actively preparing sabotage operations aimed at the defense industry in Denmark,” Graesholm said.
He said authorities had uncovered specific Russian plans for sabotage operations against companies in Denmark.
“Therefore, this is not just a warning that it might come to Denmark one day. We are already seeing the planning now. Very concretely,” he said.
The companies that could be targeted include firms in the defense industry linked to military aid to Ukraine, according to PET.
The intelligence service said it had identified “concrete examples” of Russia attempting to recruit ordinary Danes through social media and other online platforms.
Those recruited could be asked to perform tasks including photographing companies or installations for use in planning sabotage operations, PET said.
“It is extremely serious if ordinary Danes help Russian intelligence services — either intentionally or unknowingly,” Graesholm said.
PET said it works closely with Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Service and the Danish Agency for Social Security and Preparedness, and regularly updates police districts on the threat assessment.
“We have continuously briefed selected companies and industry organizations on the threat picture, and together with other authorities, we have advised on specific security measures,” Graesholm said.
He added that the broader defense industry needed to take the “necessary security measures” to protect itself.
Graesholm said PET considered the threat sufficiently concrete to issue a public warning.
“It is such a concrete identification and preparation that we find it necessary to go out with the message that it is a threat that must be taken seriously,” he said.
The Confederation of Danish Industry said it was taking PET’s assessment seriously and was in close contact with relevant authorities.
“The changed threat picture calls for increased attention from companies, but also for calm and proportionality,” said Rasmus Anderskouv, head of security and preparedness at the organization.
Anderskouv said companies should assess their specific exposure and ensure their security and emergency preparedness measures are functioning properly.
Flemming Splidsboel, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, described PET’s announcement as serious and said the threat was “new,” "concrete," and “advanced.”
Former Defense Intelligence Service chief analyst Jakob Kaarsbo said PET’s decision to speak publicly could be intended to signal to Russia that Danish authorities were aware of its activities.
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