Romania blames Russian network for fire at weapons factory site

Romania’s Intelligence Service announced on Monday that it has identified a sabotage network coordinated by Russia. The agency believes this group caused a fire at an industrial site in central Romania in September. The location is near a state-owned weapons company.

Organized crime prosecutors are seeking the extradition of three suspects linked to the arson. Two Belarusian nationals were apprehended in Germany, while one Ukrainian citizen was detained in Poland. The Intelligence Service stated that all three individuals were part of the network directed by Moscow.

According to the agency, network coordinators assigned targets to the group. These objectives included state and private weapons production facilities. The agency also noted that the targets comprised other sites of military and industrial interest.

President Nicusor Dan has described Romania as a target of a hybrid war waged by Russia. He said the aim is to destabilize nations that support Ukraine. The European Union and NATO states share a land border of more than 600 kilometers with Ukraine.

Dan cited various forms of Russian aggression in the region. These include drone incursions into Romanian airspace, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns. He also pointed to attacks on cargo vessels near Romanian waters.

Russia’s embassy in Bucharest could not be reached for comment outside business hours. Moscow has repeatedly denied such accusations. At least eight cargo ships have been hit off the coast of Romania and Bulgaria in the past three weeks. Some 34 sailors are reported dead or missing.

A year ago, Poland and Romania detained eight people. They were suspected of involvement in a Russian plan to send exploding parcels to Ukraine.