Brasov Fire: Romanian Prosecutors Charge Trio Linked to Moscow

Romanian prosecutors have formally charged three individuals with starting a fire at an industrial site in Brasov last September. The state says the group operated under the direction of Russian intelligence. The incident occurred on September 14. The site is located near a state-owned weapons factory in the central city.

The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism announced the findings on Monday. The agency identified the three suspects as two Belarusians and one Ukrainian. All three resided in other European Union nations. Investigators located two of the suspects in Germany. They were remanded in custody while preparing for similar attacks. The third suspect is still at large in Poland.

Romania’s Intelligence Service described the arson as part of a coordinated campaign. The service stated that the operations targeted arms manufacturers and other industrial sites of military interest. The goal, according to the agency, was to intimidate nations and weaken their contribution to European security. Moscow has not yet commented on the specific charges against the trio.

The intelligence agency explained how the network recruits new members. Agents often approach individuals through social media. Recruits are initially offered payment for simple tasks such as photographing specific locations. The agency noted that these tasks gradually escalate. They can progress to vandalism, arson, or even murder. This method is part of what President Nicusor Dan calls a hybrid war against nations supporting Ukraine.

The Brasov fire is one of several recent incidents at defense sites across Europe. In September, explosions damaged an ammunition storage site in Bulgaria. That facility is owned by EMCO, a maker of munitions used in the war in Ukraine. A similar fire struck another EMCO facility weeks earlier. In the same month, firebombs were thrown near the offices of a defense company in Munich.

Romanian authorities also detained a Russian citizen in the capital. That individual was accused of filming military sites in preparation for sabotage. In August, a blast struck an ammunition factory near Rome. The plant is operated by KNDS. On the water, at least eight cargo ships have been hit off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria in the past three weeks. Approximately 34 sailors are reported dead or missing.

Foreign Minister Dan Neculaescu said the Brasov fire targets military production across the continent. He wrote on X that hybrid attacks will not stop Romania from strengthening its defense. The accusation follows a year in which Poland and Romania detained eight people. Those suspects were part of a Russian plot to send exploding parcels to Ukraine.