Russia is flying reconnaissance drones over routes that are used to deliver U.S. and allied military supplies in eastern Germany, the New York Times reports, citing Western officials.
Moscow is attempting to gather intelligence that could support its sabotage campaigns and assist Russian forces in Ukraine.
“U.S. and German officials have been discussing Russian sabotage efforts, including information that led to the arrest in May of three Ukrainian men accused in a Russia-linked plot, the officials said,” the report reads.
This extensive Russian sabotage campaign has already caused fires at warehouses in the U.K., an attack on a dam in Norway, attempts to damage undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, and other operations.
Experts and Western intelligence officials say that after peaking in 2024, the number of sabotage attempts has dropped significantly this year, thanks to strengthened security measures in Europe and coordinated efforts by U.S. and European intelligence agencies.
“The International Institute for Strategic Studies also said in a report this month that sabotage operations this year had declined, but that the threat remained as Europeans struggled to coordinate a response,” the report reads.
U.S. intelligence has issued warnings to European governments about potential attacks. One alert concerned attempts to transport explosives or incendiary devices on cargo planes flying over Germany.
Ultimately, authorities arrested three Ukrainian nationals in Germany and Switzerland. According to Berlin prosecutors, the plot aimed to damage logistics infrastructure.
Despite tighter controls, Russia still retains the capability to recruit individuals for sabotage across Europe. This is why drone flights over eastern Germany, particularly in Thuringia, are a major concern for the U.S. and European countries.
U.S. officials have confirmed the drone flights but could not trace their origin, suggesting they were operated by Russians or their recruited agents.
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