OMM Newsroom
Romanian authorities say they have uncovered a sabotage network in connection with a fire near a defense industry facility in Brasov, in central Romania. The network is alleged to have been coordinated from Russia, AnewZ reports.
The Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) said the fire broke out on September 14 in the Carfil industrial area, near facilities belonging to Carfil SA, a subsidiary of state-owned defense company CN ROMARM. It said the network was responsible for the incident.
Romanian Foreign Minister Dan Nekulaescu described the incident as part of a broader series of attacks targeting Europe’s defense industry. “Hybrid attacks will not prevent us from strengthening our resilience and defense,” he wrote on the social media platform X.
Three suspects identified
Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) said it had identified two Belarusian citizens and one Ukrainian citizen in connection with the case.
Prosecutors said two suspects, who were allegedly preparing similar sabotage operations, were located and detained in Germany. Romania has issued a European arrest warrant for the third suspect, who is believed to be in Poland.
The investigation’s reach across several countries underscores the role of international cooperation in countering suspected sabotage and espionage targeting strategic infrastructure.
Alleged targets include defense and industrial facilities
According to the SRI, the group’s activities extended beyond Romania and included attacks on facilities considered significant to defense production and national security.
Investigators allege that coordinators in Russia identified state and private arms manufacturers, as well as other military and industrial facilities, as targets.
The intelligence service said separate investigations conducted this year had also uncovered attempted attacks in Romania, including plans targeting international military facilities and locations where Ukrainian forces were training.
Romanian officials have not publicly disclosed evidence supporting the allegations. Russian authorities had not issued an immediate comment.
The case is being investigated amid growing concern in Europe about suspected sabotage, cyberattacks and other hybrid activities targeting defense infrastructure and logistics networks linked to support for Ukraine. Western governments have repeatedly warned that military facilities, weapons production sites and transport corridors are becoming more attractive targets for covert operations as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.
Nekulaescu alleged that a “sabotage network coordinated by the Russian Federation” was behind the incident in Brasov.
The alleged sabotage operation comes as Carfil SA seeks to expand cooperation with international defense partners. The company recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Greece’s Altus LSA covering cooperation on autonomous systems, anti-drone capabilities and defense technologies.
The agreement is part of broader efforts to strengthen Romania’s defense industrial base and increase cooperation with European partners amid changing security conditions.
Romanian authorities said the investigation is ongoing, with prosecutors examining the network’s activities and continuing the search for the remaining suspect.
