Kremlin Accused of Intensifying Assassination Campaign in Europe

Three Western intelligence officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have reported that Russia's security services have intensified a campaign of targeted assassinations in Europe since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The campaign targets Russian activists, foreign supporters of Ukraine, and defectors. Multiple plots have been disrupted by European authorities.

The Kremlin has declined to comment on these specific allegations and has previously denied involvement in assassination attempts abroad.

Timeline of Documented Incidents

France (2025)

In April 2025, four men from Russia's Dagestan region were detained in Biarritz for allegedly surveilling activist Vladimir Osechkin. French court documents state the men were suspected of planning an assassination. Osechkin, founder of a prisoners' rights group, has been under police protection since 2022.

Lithuania (2024-2025)

• In March 2025, authorities discovered a plot to kill activist Valdas Bartkevičius with a bomb planted in his mailbox. Bartkevičius raises money for Ukraine.
• In February 2025, activist Ruslan Gabbasov found an Apple AirTag on his car. Lithuanian police later informed him a suspect was detained near his home.
• Thirteen people from at least seven countries have been charged in connection with these two plots. Lithuanian prosecutors stated the operations were ordered by Russian military intelligence.

Spain (2024)

Maxim Kuzminov, a Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine, was killed in Spain. Russian operatives are considered prime suspects by investigators.

Germany (Dates unspecified)

• Authorities broke up one plot targeting the head of a German weapons company that supplies Ukraine.
• A second plot targeting a Ukrainian military official was also disrupted.

Poland (2024)

A man was arrested in an alleged plot to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Operational Methods and Attribution

Shift to Proxy Operatives

"Following the 2018 Skripal poisoning in the UK, Western nations expelled numerous Russian diplomats and intelligence officers from Europe. Russia has since relied more heavily on proxy operatives rather than official personnel."

A former senior British counterterrorism official, Cmdr. Dominic Murphy, stated this shift in Russian tactics.

Scale of Activity

The Associated Press has mapped 191 acts of sabotage, arson, and other disruption across Europe since the war began that it links to Russia.

Responses from Targets

Vladimir Osechkin declined to go into hiding, stating he would continue his work.

Ruslan Gabbasov refused to cease his activism, citing his responsibility to his supporters.

Valdas Bartkevičius also stated he would not stop his activities.