Wreaths outside defence companies’ offices in the EU: russia’s latest provocation
In Lithuania and Czechia, ritual wreaths and photographs of the heads of defence companies supplying weapons to Ukraine, with black ribbons, appeared almost simultaneously outside their offices.
The «installations» were discovered outside the buildings of Lithuanian company RSI Europe (a manufacturer of drones and remote detonation systems) and Czech company CSG (a manufacturer of ammunition and military equipment). Portraits of the companies’ top executives were left alongside the wreaths.
In Lithuania, law enforcement has already detained the first suspect in carrying out the action. Lithuanian authorities and intelligence services are treating the incident as a provocation by russian intelligence services. Law enforcement agencies in both countries are investigating whether the incidents are connected.
This is another russian information and psychological operation aimed at pressuring Ukraine’s partners. As aggressive statements and threats from official representatives of moscow are no longer effective, russia is resorting to personal intimidation of European businesses.
However, European countries clearly understand that this is just another link in the broader chain of systematic hybrid threats and acts of sabotage by russia against Europe’s security. The only appropriate response to such actions by moscow is to continue supporting Ukraine and strengthen countermeasures against russia’s aggressive actions.
