Romanian Authorities Link Brasov Fire To Russian Sabotage Cell
Three suspects are identified in a September blaze near a state weapons factory, with two now held in Germany.
By Adam Lin ·
Romania’s Intelligence Service announced on Monday that a Russia-coordinated network set a fire at an industrial site near a state-owned weapons factory in Brasov on September 14. The agency stated the incident was part of a wider campaign of sabotage operations conducted during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, known as DIICOT, identified three individuals involved in the Brasov fire. Two suspects are Belarusians and the third is a Ukrainian; all resided in European Union countries at the time. Two of the suspects were tracked down and remanded in custody in Germany while preparing similar offenses. The third suspect remains at large in Poland.
The Intelligence Service explained that recruits for these networks are often found on social media. Recruits are initially offered money for seemingly harmless tasks, such as observing or photographing targets. Over time, the tasks become more serious, potentially involving vandalism, arson, or murder. The agency said these actions are intended to intimidate and undermine the defense capabilities of targeted states.
President Nicusor Dan described the country as a target of a hybrid war aimed at destabilizing nations that support Kyiv. He cited drone incursions into Romanian airspace, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and sabotage as components of this strategy. Foreign Minister Dan Neculaescu stated on social media that hybrid attacks would not stop Romania from strengthening its resilience and defense.
The accusation follows a series of incidents at defense sites across Europe in recent months. In September, explosions and fires occurred at two ammunition storage sites in Bulgaria operated by EMCO. That same month, firebombs were thrown near the offices of a defense company in Munich. In August, a blast struck an ammunition factory near Rome operated by KNDS.
Maritime incidents have also increased. At least eight cargo ships have been hit off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria over the past three weeks. Approximately 34 sailors have been reported dead or missing in these incidents. President Dan called the attacks in Romanian waters a new example of the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Russia has not yet commented on Romania’s specific claim regarding the Brasov fire. Moscow has previously denied similar accusations of running sabotage networks in Europe. Romania shares a border of more than 600 kilometers with Ukraine and is a member of both the EU and NATO.
Source: Al Jazeera
