Russia is buying up real estate near military bases across Europe – media
24 February 15:28
Russian agents and Kremlin-linked entities are buying up real estate near military bases, ports, and strategic infrastructure in European countries, European intelligence sources told The Telegraph, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
This involves the purchase of dachas, warehouses, apartments, abandoned buildings, as well as plots of land and even islands in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Great Britain, and other countries.
According to the special services, these objects can be used as bases for surveillance, preparation of sabotage, or covert storage of equipment. Some of these objects already contain drones, explosives, and weapons, and undercover agents are working there, according to European intelligence representatives.
They note that the Kremlin may try to act against NATO countries through sabotage in order to avoid open aggression, as this would lead to the alliance invoking Article 5 on collective defense. At the same time, the targets of potential Russian attacks remain transport, energy, and communications.
Russia’s purchase of surveillance facilities in Europe first came to light in 2018. At that time, the Finnish company Airiston Helmi acquired 17 properties near strategic sea routes and telecommunications infrastructure, including near the port of Turku, where the Finnish Navy Command is based. In particular, the company bought the island of Sakkiluoto. During searches on the island related to the case against the company’s CEO, law enforcement agencies discovered moorings, surveillance systems, a helipad, and modern communications equipment. Since then, according to The Telegraph’s sources, Russia has been replicating Airiston Helmi’s experience across Europe “on a smaller scale, but on a larger scale.”
After the war began, Finland effectively banned Russians and Belarusians from buying real estate on its territory. Similar restrictions were also introduced in the Baltic states. Some countries began to close facilities that could be used by Russia for reconnaissance purposes. At the same time, many countries, including the UK, still have loopholes in their legislation that allow Russian investors to acquire strategic real estate.
According to The Telegraph, there are fears in Europe that the lack of a unified policy and coordination between countries will only increase the threat of sabotage from Moscow. The head of British intelligence MI6, Blez Metreveli, previously warned that Russia is “testing the West in a gray zone,” using methods between war and peace.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin called statements by European politicians about a possible attack on NATO “nonsense,” but accused the alliance countries of wanting to “destroy” Russia at the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
