Russian plots to target Ukraine allies in US and Europe
SecurityComments
which specific proxy networks are being used?
This follows the same logic as the recent drone incursions in Lithuania. Russian intelligence appears to be testing the response thresholds of NATO allies across multiple vectors simultaneously.
Is this actually a shift in tactics? Russia has been running covert operations on European soil for decades: this is just the visibility increasing.
This brings back memories of the 2018 Salisbury incident. The key difference here is the target profile; they are moving from targeting specific defectors to targeting general supporters.
It is worth noting that the FBI revealed this because they disrupted the attempts. This transparency suggests that Western counter-intelligence networks are communicating more effectively than they did in previous years.
The shift the OP mentions is likely the transition from 'active measures' (political subversion) to 'kinetic' operations (physical violence). The use of paid proxies allows the Kremlin to maintain plausible deniability while attempting to intimidate foreign civilians.