Three high-ranking European intelligence officials have revealed to The Associated Press that Russia’s spy operations are becoming increasingly bold in their attempts to obtain Western technology and military secrets, driven by economic pressure from international sanctions.
According to these officials, Moscow’s operatives are establishing fraudulent businesses, enlisting intermediaries, and using digital espionage specialists and hackers to collect intelligence that might also be weaponized against vital infrastructure.
International sanctions imposed over four years have restricted Moscow’s access to European machinery, technology, and research, while the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has strained critical industries and threatens to push the nation toward economic crisis.
Christoffer Wedelin, deputy head of operations at the Swedish Security Service, explained that Russian agents “really know what they need” and are investing “serious effort” into obtaining sophisticated machine tools, manufacturing equipment, research materials, and dual-use technology.
According to Wedelin, Russia is focusing on Sweden’s defense sector and cutting-edge research involving the nation’s most sophisticated weapons, including the Gripen fighter jet. Moscow is also attempting to acquire camera and laser technologies originally designed for civilian applications that could be incorporated into Russian military systems, he noted.
Juha Martelius, director of Finland’s Security and Intelligence Service, stated that Moscow is also attempting to acquire technology to maintain competitiveness or gain advantages over the West in coming decades.
“We’re talking about space technology, quantum … arctic technology, marine technology,” he explained, noting that space technology is something Russia requires “right now,” though he didn’t provide additional details. Nations utilize such technology for satellite imagery, communications, and navigation systems.
Martelius also mentioned that Russia requires sanctioned computer technology and software updates for machine tools.
On Wednesday, Anne Keast-Butler, director of the U.K’s signals intelligence agency, charged Russia with “relentlessly targeting” the U.K. and its European partners through technology theft and planning sabotage and assassination operations.
Swedish authorities arrested two individuals in May on charges of sanctions violations connected to a Turkish company that has shipped dozens of metalworking and metal-turning machine tools to Russia.
Wedelin warned that as these technology acquisition schemes become more sophisticated, businesses must recognize they could inadvertently become part of Russia’s military supply network.
“All of the security and intelligence services in Russia are helping out on the state’s efforts to get this,” he stated.
Moscow is also launching cyberattacks against European companies and critical infrastructure to collect intelligence, which it could use “when they get the chance and when it serves their purpose,” Wedelin explained. He referenced an attack on a Swedish power facility last year.
Russian-affiliated groups attempted to “destroy” the facility but were unsuccessful because security systems identified the breach, Wedelin said. He noted the attack was partially designed to weaken Western support for Ukraine.
Previously, Sweden’s security agencies had primarily observed reconnaissance for possible attacks, intelligence collection, or activities connected to cybercriminals. The attack represented a “switch” in Russia’s approach, Wedelin said.
“They’re no longer caring as much about potential attribution after their activities, so they are taking greater risks to achieve their goals,” he explained.
Russia’s escalating aggressive methods may indicate growing internal worries about its economy, which “is not doing well at all,” according to Kaupo Rosin, head of Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service.
Martelius reported that approximately one-third of Russia’s gross domestic product is currently allocated to the war effort. The conflict and resulting sanctions have reduced growth and sustained high inflation.
Russian leadership projected a budget shortfall of 3.7 trillion rubles ($52.1 billion) for all of 2026 and had already accumulated about 3.4 trillion rubles ($47.9 billion) by February’s end, Rosin reported.
The Iran war that began on Feb. 28 has provided relief by driving oil prices higher. The U.S. has issued sanctions exemptions for Russian oil sales and the U.K. reduced its sanctions to attempt lowering global fuel costs.
Higher revenues since then have probably enhanced Russia’s budget, but “it doesn’t save them,” Rosin said, adding that continued Western pressure could lead Moscow to face a financial crisis by year’s end.
Rosin said intelligence reviewed by his agency indicates a more pessimistic outlook among Russian officials over the past six months, with the narrative of “total victory” in Ukraine having disappeared. Keast-Butler, of British intelligence, reported nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have died in Ukraine since the comprehensive invasion in 2022.
Russia and Ukraine have generally kept their battlefield casualty numbers confidential.
Stagnant battlefield progress and economic difficulties have many Russian officials privately questioning “what is this all for,” Rosin said, referencing intelligence reports.
Martelius, from Finland’s intelligence service, said that although some reports about the Ukraine war may have been “sanitized” before reaching President Vladimir Putin’s office, he believes the Russian leader understands the economic difficulties fairly well.
However, that doesn’t indicate political change will occur.
It is “very dangerous … to start analyzing Russia as if it is some country like ours,” Martelius said. “It is not.”
