Romanian authorities stated on Monday that they had uncovered a sabotage network they believe was coordinated by Russia, holding it responsible for a fire at an industrial site near a state-owned weapons factory in September.
The Romanian Intelligence Service said the blaze in the central city of Brasov on September 14 was “part of a wider campaign of sabotage operations coordinated” by Russia amid its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The agency stated the operations targeted arms manufacturers and “other targets of military and industrial interest”, adding they were “intended to intimidate, undermine defence capabilities and weaken the contribution of the targeted states to European and regional security.”
Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) identified three suspects involved in the Brasov fire: two Belarusians and a Ukrainian, all residing in European Union countries. Two were arrested in Germany while allegedly preparing to commit similar offenses, while a third remains at large in Poland.
According to Romanian intelligence, recruits for these networks are often found on social media. They are initially offered money for seemingly harmless tasks, such as observing or photographing targets, before being escalated to acts of vandalism, arson, or worse.
Romania, an EU and NATO member sharing a long border with Ukraine, has been a vocal proponent of support for Kyiv. President Nicusor Dan has characterised the country as a target of a hybrid war waged by Russia, citing drone incursions, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and sabotage. Foreign Minister Dan Neculaescu labelled the Brasov fire “part of a broader campaign of sabotage across Europe,” writing on X that “hybrid attacks will not hold us back from strengthening our resilience and defense.”
The accusation follows a string of incidents at defence sites across Europe in recent months, including explosions at munitions facilities in Bulgaria, firebombs near a defence company in Munich, and a blast at an ammunition factory in Italy. At sea, multiple cargo ships have been hit off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria.
There was no immediate comment from Russia on the specific claim. Moscow has previously repeatedly denied accusations of orchestrating such sabotage campaigns.