Romania: 3 suspects linked to Russian sabotage network behind weapons plant fire

Romanian authorities identified three individuals as the suspects responsible for a fire that damaged an industrial site near a state-owned weapons factory in Brasov. The intelligence agency stated on Monday that the incident was orchestrated by a network coordinated by Russia. The group allegedly targeted arms manufacturers and other sites of military interest as part of a wider campaign of sabotage.

The fire occurred on September 14 in the central city of Brasov. Romanian officials said the operation was part of a coordinated effort to undermine the defense capabilities of nations supporting Ukraine. The intelligence service noted that such actions are designed to intimidate targets and weaken their contribution to European and regional security.

The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, or DIICOT, disclosed the nationalities and status of the three suspects. Two of the accused are Belarusians, and one is a Ukrainian. All three resided in European Union countries. The two Belarusians were tracked down and remanded in custody in Germany while preparing for similar offenses. The third suspect, the Ukrainian, remains at large in Poland.

The intelligence service described the recruitment process for these networks. Agents often find recruits through social media and offer money for seemingly harmless tasks, such as observing or photographing specific targets. Over time, the assignments become more serious, potentially involving vandalism, arson, or even murder. There was no immediate comment from Moscow regarding the claims, though Russia has previously denied similar accusations.

President Nicusor Dan stated that Romania is a target of a hybrid war aimed at destabilizing nations that back Kyiv. He cited drone incursions into Romanian airspace, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and sabotage as key components of this strategy. Foreign Minister Dan Neculaescu wrote on X that the Brasov fire is part of a broader campaign of sabotage across Europe targeting military production. He added that hybrid attacks will not stop the country from strengthening its resilience and defense.

The accusation follows several incidents at defense sites in Europe during the past few weeks. In September, explosions and a fire hit an ammunition storage site in Bulgaria operated by EMCO. In the same month, firebombs were thrown near the offices of a defense company in Munich. Romanian authorities also detained a Russian citizen accused of filming military sites in preparation for sabotage. In August, a blast struck an ammunition factory near Rome operated by KNDS.

Maritime incidents have also increased. At least eight cargo ships were hit off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria over the past three weeks. Approximately 34 sailors have been reported dead or missing in these attacks. President Dan called the ship attacks a new example of the tragic consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. One year ago, Poland and Romania detained eight people suspected of participating in a Russian plot to send exploding parcels to Ukraine.