Josefine Christensen, an analyst with Denmark’s Security and Intelligence Service (PET), alleged that Russia had expanded its operations targeting Danish companies providing military support to Ukraine. Christensen’s assessment has revived debate over security tensions between Russia and Europe and the targeting of military support for Ukraine.
Speaking at an internal security conference in Copenhagen, Christensen said Russia had concluded that its efforts to limit Western military aid to Ukraine had failed. According to the analyst, Moscow subsequently focused on defence companies.
Operations increased during the summer
Christensen said that although numerous planning activities had been detected during the spring, only a small number of actions had been observed on the ground. She said the operations intensified significantly from the beginning of the summer.
Christensen said Russia had assessed that its previous broad targeting policy had failed to deter NATO’s support for Ukraine. She argued that Moscow had retained political control over the operations, while those carrying out initiatives on the ground had shown greater boldness.
Christensen said the new targets included companies linked to the production of weapons that could directly affect the front line. She also said Russia’s Defence Ministry had published a list in April identifying European manufacturers of drones and components as potential military targets.
Copenhagen rejects the allegations
Russia’s Embassy in Copenhagen described the allegations by Danish officials as unfounded and rejected the sabotage claims. Moscow has previously also denied allegations that it was involved in sabotage or hybrid warfare operations.
Alleged recruitment through Telegram
Christensen alleged that Russia was increasingly using untrained intermediaries in its operations. The analyst said these people included homeless individuals and drug addicts, and that some intermediaries were contacted through Telegram and other messaging platforms.
According to PET’s assessment, the recruitment process usually begins with low-risk tasks such as reconnaissance or taking photographs and can later escalate to sabotage activities. Christensen said people seeking quick money were being used and that, if one person failed, another could be assigned.
Warnings of hybrid attacks in Denmark and Europe
Last month, Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service warned that Russia was likely to increase its hybrid attacks against the West in the coming months. Germany also held Russia responsible in August for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
Before Denmark hosted the European Union summit in September 2025, air traffic was disrupted at six Danish airports because of drones. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the incidents, which also affected Copenhagen Airport, as a hybrid attack against her country.
