American intelligence has warned defense agencies about the threat of sabotage from the Russian Federation

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American intelligence services and national security agencies are warning US defense companies about attempts by Russian actors to sabotage their activities at home and abroad.

Source: Bloomberg, the newsletter of American intelligence agencies

Details: According to a report by the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the FBI and the Department of Defense, Russian intelligence services may be trying to recruit “insiders” of the US defense industry. Employees of enterprises are warned against contacts with outsiders who try to establish relationships on the territory of enterprises or appear in prohibited places.

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Literally: “U.S. companies, especially those that support organizations involved in the conflict in Ukraine or other ongoing geopolitical conflicts, should, as a best practice, increase vigilance and strengthen security measures.”

Details: The agencies emphasize that the Russian special services are increasingly resorting to aggressive methods, in particular involving criminals to organize arson, cyber attacks and other sabotage in Europe.

“Russia’s sabotage activities in Europe pose a threat to American companies abroad and potentially domestically,” the agencies said.

The paper notes that Russia’s subversion has so far been aimed primarily at European targets, including a foiled plot to assassinate the CEO of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall AG in July. However, the focus of attention is increasingly on the USA. Representatives of European and American special services believe that it was Moscow that was behind the attempts to set fire to cargo planes bound for North America.

American and European companies are actively increasing the production of weapons, such as ammunition and missiles, for supplies to Ukraine and replenishing their own stocks. Companies such as Rheinmetall, Norway’s Nammo AS and America’s Northrop Grumman Corp. have signed contracts directly with Ukrainian manufacturers to support their production.