russians are actively buying up real estate near military facilities in Europe

This is reported by The Telegraph, citing sources in Western intelligence services.

This involves the acquisition of houses, warehouses, land plots and even islands in areas near air bases, naval ports, submarine cable routes and energy facilities.

Intelligence suggests that these facilities may be part of a large-scale network of ‘Trojan horses’ designed for espionage, sabotage and preparation for possible attacks in the event of an escalation of the situation. It is possible that russia may already have placed explosives, drones, weapons and undercover agents at some of these facilities.

The Telegraph notes that since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine, there has been an increase in russia-related sabotage incidents in Europe, including arson, attempted bombings and train derailments. The special services do not rule out that these could have been ‘test’ operations to check the reaction.

Intelligence officials believe that the Kremlin may be operating in a so-called grey zone — without an open military attack, but with attacks that are difficult to prove involvement in. This complicates NATO's response and the application of Article 5 on the Alliance's collective defence.

Particular attention was drawn to a case in Finland, where in 2018, a helicopter pad, moorings and communications equipment were discovered on the island of Sakkilot, which belonged to Airiston Helmi, a company with russian connections. The company's owner, Pavel Melnikov, was convicted of fraud, and russia denied allegations of espionage.

After invading Ukraine in 2022, russia focused on creating smaller facilities across Europe — potential weapons caches, observation points and ‘sleeper’ bases.

The activities of the russian Orthodox Church are also a cause for concern — in Norway and Sweden, it has acquired real estate near naval bases and radar facilities. In the Swedish city of Västerås, a church was built in 2023 near a strategically important airport. The priest who looked after the church received a medal from the russian Foreign Intelligence Service.

Intelligence services have also recorded suspicious property purchases in Italy, Greece, the United Kingdom, France and Switzerland.

Some countries, including Finland and the Baltic states, have already tightened restrictions on the purchase of real estate by russians. At the same time, there is still no Europe-wide ban, and experts warn that loopholes in legislation leave Europe vulnerable to such actions.

Source: Babel