Security services say spate of fires and infrastructure attacks could be part of systemic attempt by Russia to destabilise continent
Security services around Europe are on alert to a potential new weapon of Russia’s war – arson and sabotage – after a spate of mystery fires and attacks on infrastructure in the Baltics, Germany and the UK.
When a fire broke out in Ikea in Vilnius in Lithuania this month, few passed any remarks until the Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, suggested it could have been the work of a foreign saboteur.
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak”
Burning down an IKEA is a pretty desperate move. They also don’t seem to realise that regardless of whether Europe supports Ukraine or not, Ukraine will never surrender. As long as a Ukrainian breaths, there will be resistance to Russia.
Maybe, it also has symbolic value, and might demoralise the civilian populace, whose support is crucial to the continued state support.
It still seems a weak move as infrastructure should be a more effective target, but who knows how many layers of distractions and attacks of opportunity really happen in the field?
Destroying a historic monument or building to demoralise would make more sense. Instead, we have the Russian War on Low Prices.
Nothing of this will work like that though, because Europeans are not tame and obidient in nature. A lot even rebellious. This will get more support for sanctions vs russia, military support for Ukraine and even some outrcries to strike russia directly.