Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Denmark Says Russia Recruits Danes for Sabotage Planning
Denmark says Russian intelligence services are trying to recruit Danish people.
The alleged recruits were contacted on social media and gaming platforms.
They were reportedly asked to take pictures of companies or important infrastructure.
Denmark believes these pictures could help plan sabotage.
Some of the companies work in defense and have ties to Ukraine.
A Danish security official called the situation very serious.
Russia says it is not involved in hybrid warfare.
The claims came as European countries were already discussing suspected Russian activity.
Denmark’s national security and intelligence service, PET, said Russia is recruiting Danish citizens to help plan sabotage against defense firms.
PET said some targeted Danish defense companies have ties to Ukraine.
PET reported recruitment attempts on social media and gaming platforms, including requests to photograph companies or infrastructure.
PET counter-espionage chief Emil Gresholm said such images could assist sabotage planning and warned recruits might act deliberately or unknowingly.
Russia denied involvement in hybrid warfare, while the allegations came amid renewed European concern about suspected Russian sabotage.
- Who
- Denmark’s national security and intelligence service, PET, accused Russian intelligence services of recruiting Danish citizens; Russia denied involvement in hybrid warfare.
- What
- PET said Danes were being recruited for tasks that could support sabotage planning against Danish defense companies and infrastructure.
- When
- Thursday, Sept. 3; the year was not specified in the article.
- Where
- Denmark, with the broader concerns involving defense companies and the defense industry in Europe.
- Why
- According to PET, the information gathered by recruited individuals could be used to plan sabotage against defense-related targets, including companies tied to Ukraine.
Danish Security Assessment
Russian Denial
Alleged sabotage planning
Danish Security Assessment
PET said Russian intelligence services are actively preparing sabotage against Denmark’s defense industry and recruiting Danes for supporting tasks.
Russian Denial
Russia denied involvement in hybrid warfare.
- Accusing agency
- Denmark’s national security and intelligence service, PET.
- Alleged recruiter
- Russian intelligence services.
- Reported recruitment channels
- Social media and gaming platforms.
- Reported tasks
- Taking photographs of companies or infrastructure.
- Potential targets
- Danish defense companies and the defense industry.
- Danish official
- Emil Gresholm, PET’s head of counter-espionage.
- Russian position
- Moscow denied involvement in hybrid warfare.