Romania says Russia-linked sabotage network set fire near weapons factory in Brasov
Romanian authorities say they have uncovered a network they believe was coordinated by Russia and linked to a fire near a state-owned weapons factory in the central city of Brasov. The blaze took place on September 14 at an industrial site close to the facility, and officials now describe it as part of a wider sabotage campaign. The case has been presented by Bucharest as part of a broader pattern of pressure on European countries supporting Ukraine.
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Romania's Intelligence Service said the operation was aimed at arms manufacturers and other targets of military and industrial interest. It said such actions were intended to intimidate, undermine defence capabilities and weaken the contribution of targeted states to European and regional security. The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, known as DIICOT, said three people were involved in the Brasov fire: two Belarusians and a Ukrainian, all living in European Union countries.
DIICOT said two of the suspects were tracked down and remanded in custody in Germany while they were preparing to commit similar offences. Romanian officials said recruits for such networks are often found on social media and are first offered money for what appears to be a harmless task, such as observing or photographing targets. Over time, they said, the tasks can become more serious and may involve vandalism, arson or even murder.
The allegations matter because they touch on defence-industrial infrastructure at a time when Romania has described itself as a target of hybrid warfare. Romania is a member of both the European Union and NATO, and it shares a border of more than 600 kilometres with Ukraine. President Nicusor Dan has previously said the country faces a campaign of destabilisation that includes drone incursions, cyberattacks, disinformation and sabotage.
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Foreign Minister Dan Neculaescu said the Brasov fire was part of a broader campaign of sabotage across Europe targeting military production. He said hybrid attacks would not stop Romania from strengthening its resilience and defence. The statement places the incident within a wider security debate in Europe over covert activity, cross-border recruitment and the protection of industrial sites linked to military supply chains.
There was no immediate comment from Russia on Romania's claim, and Moscow has previously denied similar accusations. The Romanian authorities have not publicly detailed the full chain of command behind the alleged network, and it remains unclear what role, if any, the suspects in Germany played beyond the allegations set out by DIICOT. Further legal proceedings in Germany and Romania are likely to determine how the case develops and whether more arrests follow.
