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The New Joe Montgomery Birther Pit / Re: Possible WW3 thread
« on: Today at 09:52:09 AM »
ChiCom Times?
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The New Joe Montgomery Birther Pit / Re: Possible WW3 thread
« on: Today at 09:51:51 AM »No one educated at Kansas State University should believe a single word of that.
Pinko Commie PRC Financial Times Rag?
5
The New Joe Montgomery Birther Pit / Re: Possible WW3 thread
« on: Today at 06:40:16 AM »
Russia plotting sabotage across Europe, intelligence agencies warn
Assessments suggest Kremlin agents preparing covert bombings, arson and attacks on infrastructure
Montage of map of Europe and the Kremlin complex
Nato has declared concern about malign Russian activities across allied territory.
FT montage/Getty Images
Russia plotting sabotage across Europe, intelligence agencies warn on x (opens in a new window)
Russia plotting sabotage across Europe, intelligence agencies warn on facebook (opens in a new window)
Russia plotting sabotage across Europe, intelligence agencies warn on linkedin (opens in a new window)
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Sam Jones(opens a new window) in Berlin, John Paul Rathbone(opens a new window) in London and Richard Milne(opens a new window) in Oslo YESTERDAY
1026
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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
European intelligence agencies have warned their governments that Russia is plotting violent acts of sabotage across the continent as it commits to a course of permanent conflict with the west.
Russia has already begun to more actively prepare covert bombings, arson attacks and damage to infrastructure on European soil, directly and via proxies, with little apparent concern about causing civilian fatalities, intelligence officials believe.
While the Kremlin’s agents have a long history of such operations — and launched attacks sporadically in Europe in recent years — evidence is mounting of a more aggressive and concerted effort, according to assessments from three different European countries shared with the Financial Times.
Intelligence officials are becoming increasingly vocal about the threat in an effort to promote vigilance.
“We assess the risk of state-controlled acts of sabotage to be significantly increased,” said Thomas Haldenwang, head of German domestic intelligence. Russia now seems comfortable carrying out operations on European soil “[with] a high potential for damage,” he told a security conference last month hosted by his agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
Thomas Haldenwang, president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Thomas Haldenwang has warned that Russia is comfortable carrying out sabotage on European soil. Christian Marquardt/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Haldenwang spoke just days after two German-Russian nationals were arrested in Bayreuth, Bavaria, for allegedly plotting to attack military and logistics sites in Germany on behalf of Russia.
Two men were charged in the UK in late April with having started a fire at a warehouse containing aid shipments for Ukraine. English prosecutors accuse them of working for the Russian government.
In Sweden, security services are meanwhile investigating a series of recent railway derailments, which they suspect may be acts of state-backed sabotage.
Russia has attempted to destroy the signalling systems on Czech railways, the country’s transport minister told the FT last month.
In Estonia, an attack on the interior minister’s car in February and those of journalists were perpetrated by Russian intelligence operatives, the country’s Internal Security Service has said. France’s ministry of defence also warned this year of possible sabotage attacks by Russia on military sites.
“The obvious conclusion is that there has been a real stepping up of Russian activity,” said Keir Giles, senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, the think-tank.
“One cannot tell if that’s a reflection of the fact that the Russians are throwing more resources at it; whether they are being more sloppy and getting caught; or whether western counter-intelligence has simply become better at detecting and stopping it,” he added. “Whatever it is though — there is a lot going on.”
A defendant alleged to have violated EU trade restrictions in connection with deliveries of electronic components for military equipment to Russia enters the courtroom at the Higher Regional Court
A defendant in Baden-Württemberg who is alleged to have violated EU trade restrictions in connection with deliveries of electronic components for military equipment to Russia. Bernd Weißbrod/dpa
One senior European government official said information was being shared through Nato security services of “clear and convincing Russian mischief”, which was co-ordinated and at scale.
The time had come to “raise awareness and focus” about the threat of Russian violence on European soil, he added.
Nato issued a statement on Thursday declaring its deep concern about growing “malign activities on allied territory” by Russia, citing what it said was an “intensifying campaign?.?.?. across the Euro-Atlantic area”.
The growing fears over Russia’s appetite for physical damage against its adversaries follow a spate of accusations against Russia over disinformation and hacking campaigns.
On Friday, Germany vowed consequences for Moscow — in a statement backed by the EU and Nato — over a 2023 hacking attack on the social democratic party of chancellor Olaf Scholz.
A scandal exposing Russian attempts to co-opt far right European politicians ahead of upcoming European elections is meanwhile still unfolding.
One intelligence official said Moscow’s sabotage efforts should not be seen as a distinct from other operations, saying the ramp-up in activity reflected Russia’s aim to exert maximum pressure “across the piece”.
Putin is currently feeling “emboldened” and will seek to push lines as hard as he can in Europe, on multiple fronts, he said, whether through disinformation, sabotage or hacking.
Increased aggression from Russian intelligence also reflects the desire for the country’s spymasters to reassert themselves after their most serious setback since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In the weeks following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 600 Russian intelligence officers operating in Europe with diplomatic cover were ejected, dealing serious damage to the Kremlin’s spy network across the continent.
In a recent report, analysts at the UK’s Royal United Services Institute highlighted the efforts to which Russia had gone to reconstitute its presence in Europe, often using proxies. Those include members of the Russian diaspora as well as organised crime groups with which the Kremlin has long-standing ties.
A key strategic shift has also occurred, with so-called “Committees of Special Influence” coordinating intelligence operations country-by-country for the Kremlin, drawing together what were previously piecemeal efforts by the country’s fractious security services and other Kremlin players.
The Royal Ordnance Factory at Glascoe, Wales.
The Royal Ordnance Factory at Glascoe, Wales. BAE Systems is investigating an explosion in April. David Goddard/Getty Images
Frefighters at Diehl Metal Applications in Berlin, Germany.
Firefighters at Diehl Metal Applications in Berlin, Germany. Lisi Niesner/Reuters
With Russia’s stepping up operations, security services have been on high alert over threats and are looking to identify targets they may have missed.
Questions have been raised, for instance, over a so-far unexplained explosion at a BAE Systems munitions factory in Wales that supplies shells used by Ukraine. In October 2014 a Czech arms depot where weapons for Kyiv were being stored was destroyed; Russian military intelligence agents were later revealed to have planted explosives at the site.
A huge fire broke out on Friday at a factory in Berlin owned by the arms company Diehl, which also supplies Ukraine. More than 160 specialist firefighters were called to tackle the blaze, with residents in a huge swath of the west of the capital told to keep windows closed due to possible toxic fumes.
“As ever with Russia, it’s wise not to look for a single explanation of why they are doing anything. There’s always a combination of things going on,” said Giles.
“These pinprick attacks we’ve seen so far are of course to create disruption, but they can also be used for disinformation. And then there is what Russia learns from these attacks if they want to immobilise Europe for real?.?.?. They’re practice runs.”
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Assessments suggest Kremlin agents preparing covert bombings, arson and attacks on infrastructure
Montage of map of Europe and the Kremlin complex
Nato has declared concern about malign Russian activities across allied territory.
FT montage/Getty ImagesRussia plotting sabotage across Europe, intelligence agencies warn on x (opens in a new window)
Russia plotting sabotage across Europe, intelligence agencies warn on facebook (opens in a new window)
Russia plotting sabotage across Europe, intelligence agencies warn on linkedin (opens in a new window)
Save
current progress 100%
Sam Jones(opens a new window) in Berlin, John Paul Rathbone(opens a new window) in London and Richard Milne(opens a new window) in Oslo YESTERDAY
1026
Print this page
Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free
Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
European intelligence agencies have warned their governments that Russia is plotting violent acts of sabotage across the continent as it commits to a course of permanent conflict with the west.
Russia has already begun to more actively prepare covert bombings, arson attacks and damage to infrastructure on European soil, directly and via proxies, with little apparent concern about causing civilian fatalities, intelligence officials believe.
While the Kremlin’s agents have a long history of such operations — and launched attacks sporadically in Europe in recent years — evidence is mounting of a more aggressive and concerted effort, according to assessments from three different European countries shared with the Financial Times.
Intelligence officials are becoming increasingly vocal about the threat in an effort to promote vigilance.
“We assess the risk of state-controlled acts of sabotage to be significantly increased,” said Thomas Haldenwang, head of German domestic intelligence. Russia now seems comfortable carrying out operations on European soil “[with] a high potential for damage,” he told a security conference last month hosted by his agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
Thomas Haldenwang, president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Thomas Haldenwang has warned that Russia is comfortable carrying out sabotage on European soil.
Christian Marquardt/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesHaldenwang spoke just days after two German-Russian nationals were arrested in Bayreuth, Bavaria, for allegedly plotting to attack military and logistics sites in Germany on behalf of Russia.
Two men were charged in the UK in late April with having started a fire at a warehouse containing aid shipments for Ukraine. English prosecutors accuse them of working for the Russian government.
In Sweden, security services are meanwhile investigating a series of recent railway derailments, which they suspect may be acts of state-backed sabotage.
Russia has attempted to destroy the signalling systems on Czech railways, the country’s transport minister told the FT last month.
In Estonia, an attack on the interior minister’s car in February and those of journalists were perpetrated by Russian intelligence operatives, the country’s Internal Security Service has said. France’s ministry of defence also warned this year of possible sabotage attacks by Russia on military sites.
“The obvious conclusion is that there has been a real stepping up of Russian activity,” said Keir Giles, senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, the think-tank.
“One cannot tell if that’s a reflection of the fact that the Russians are throwing more resources at it; whether they are being more sloppy and getting caught; or whether western counter-intelligence has simply become better at detecting and stopping it,” he added. “Whatever it is though — there is a lot going on.”
A defendant alleged to have violated EU trade restrictions in connection with deliveries of electronic components for military equipment to Russia enters the courtroom at the Higher Regional Court
A defendant in Baden-Württemberg who is alleged to have violated EU trade restrictions in connection with deliveries of electronic components for military equipment to Russia.
Bernd Weißbrod/dpaOne senior European government official said information was being shared through Nato security services of “clear and convincing Russian mischief”, which was co-ordinated and at scale.
The time had come to “raise awareness and focus” about the threat of Russian violence on European soil, he added.
Nato issued a statement on Thursday declaring its deep concern about growing “malign activities on allied territory” by Russia, citing what it said was an “intensifying campaign?.?.?. across the Euro-Atlantic area”.
The growing fears over Russia’s appetite for physical damage against its adversaries follow a spate of accusations against Russia over disinformation and hacking campaigns.
On Friday, Germany vowed consequences for Moscow — in a statement backed by the EU and Nato — over a 2023 hacking attack on the social democratic party of chancellor Olaf Scholz.
A scandal exposing Russian attempts to co-opt far right European politicians ahead of upcoming European elections is meanwhile still unfolding.
One intelligence official said Moscow’s sabotage efforts should not be seen as a distinct from other operations, saying the ramp-up in activity reflected Russia’s aim to exert maximum pressure “across the piece”.
Putin is currently feeling “emboldened” and will seek to push lines as hard as he can in Europe, on multiple fronts, he said, whether through disinformation, sabotage or hacking.
Increased aggression from Russian intelligence also reflects the desire for the country’s spymasters to reassert themselves after their most serious setback since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In the weeks following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 600 Russian intelligence officers operating in Europe with diplomatic cover were ejected, dealing serious damage to the Kremlin’s spy network across the continent.
In a recent report, analysts at the UK’s Royal United Services Institute highlighted the efforts to which Russia had gone to reconstitute its presence in Europe, often using proxies. Those include members of the Russian diaspora as well as organised crime groups with which the Kremlin has long-standing ties.
A key strategic shift has also occurred, with so-called “Committees of Special Influence” coordinating intelligence operations country-by-country for the Kremlin, drawing together what were previously piecemeal efforts by the country’s fractious security services and other Kremlin players.
The Royal Ordnance Factory at Glascoe, Wales.
The Royal Ordnance Factory at Glascoe, Wales. BAE Systems is investigating an explosion in April.
David Goddard/Getty ImagesFrefighters at Diehl Metal Applications in Berlin, Germany.
Firefighters at Diehl Metal Applications in Berlin, Germany.
Lisi Niesner/ReutersWith Russia’s stepping up operations, security services have been on high alert over threats and are looking to identify targets they may have missed.
Questions have been raised, for instance, over a so-far unexplained explosion at a BAE Systems munitions factory in Wales that supplies shells used by Ukraine. In October 2014 a Czech arms depot where weapons for Kyiv were being stored was destroyed; Russian military intelligence agents were later revealed to have planted explosives at the site.
A huge fire broke out on Friday at a factory in Berlin owned by the arms company Diehl, which also supplies Ukraine. More than 160 specialist firefighters were called to tackle the blaze, with residents in a huge swath of the west of the capital told to keep windows closed due to possible toxic fumes.
“As ever with Russia, it’s wise not to look for a single explanation of why they are doing anything. There’s always a combination of things going on,” said Giles.
“These pinprick attacks we’ve seen so far are of course to create disruption, but they can also be used for disinformation. And then there is what Russia learns from these attacks if they want to immobilise Europe for real?.?.?. They’re practice runs.”
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Essentially Flyertalk / Re: cooking
« on: May 05, 2024, 09:14:58 PM »
If you already have cast iron
Get carbon steel
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Get carbon steel
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Jerome Tang Coaches Kansas State Basketball / Re: PORTAL KOMBAT
« on: May 05, 2024, 07:42:30 PM »
We still have to find like five guys
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Jerome Tang Coaches Kansas State Basketball / Re: PORTAL KOMBAT
« on: May 05, 2024, 07:37:45 PM »
NIT
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Essentially Flyertalk / Re: Kc restaurant suggestions
« on: May 05, 2024, 04:08:44 PM »
I was born there
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Essentially Flyertalk / Re: QuikTrip
« on: May 04, 2024, 10:30:14 PM »
Bucees food is very good
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Essentially Flyertalk / Re: Kc restaurant suggestions
« on: May 03, 2024, 01:49:25 PM »what is lombardi
A breakfast burrito from a local(?) mexican place
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The New Joe Montgomery Birther Pit / Re: LOL TRUMP
« on: May 03, 2024, 08:28:46 AM »This comment got me, lol.
https://x.com/coopercooperco/status/1785906949168476175
lmao
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Essentially Flyertalk / Re: Tornado Season 2024
« on: May 01, 2024, 02:56:32 PM »
House at the top of the hill on my street was struck last weekend, just the attic area caught fire and everyone was ok but it's probably a total loss
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The New Joe Montgomery Birther Pit / Re: MEGA MAGA
« on: May 01, 2024, 01:23:33 PM »
That Gary guy is a hoot!
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Jerome Tang Coaches Kansas State Basketball / Re: PORTAL KOMBAT
« on: April 30, 2024, 09:00:18 PM »
There’s MULTIPLE myscommits and mysvisitors
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Jerome Tang Coaches Kansas State Basketball / Re: PORTAL KOMBAT
« on: April 30, 2024, 08:34:11 PM »
That means we’re getting the guard from Arkansas
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Essentially Flyertalk / Re: Tornado Season 2024
« on: April 30, 2024, 07:26:27 PM »Got my eyes on one.Nice knowing you fcf
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Essentially Flyertalk / Re: What song
« on: April 30, 2024, 07:25:50 PM »Are you guys serious about the chile thing or am I just not getting the joke?I put voodoo chile this morning and then thought, is that right?
So I googled it and it was listed as Child
So I put child at first and then others were like no chile
And it’s kind of both, but I’m certain that Chile is really what it’s supposed to be
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Essentially Flyertalk / Re: Kc restaurant suggestions
« on: April 30, 2024, 07:21:44 PM »Oh hai spring, new menu? Yes please
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Essentially Flyertalk / Re: Ask Steve Dave Farm And Cow And Ranch And Tractor And Truck Related Questions
« on: April 30, 2024, 02:56:22 PM »
my grandpa used to have a giant tank of roundup on his 3 wheeler and one in a pickup and on days when there "wasn't as much to do" he drove around and round upp'd all his fence lines to keep cedar out!
But they made good fence posts when there were no trees anywhere
But they made good fence posts when there were no trees anywhere
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The New Joe Montgomery Birther Pit / Re: Noah smith, liar or dumbass?
« on: April 30, 2024, 02:10:32 PM »
American house culture is absurd
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Essentially Flyertalk / Re: What song
« on: April 30, 2024, 08:25:54 AM »oh huh, i didn't know it was child. that's wile
edit: just looked it up. apparently Jimi used both.
I remembered it as chile but then i googled it and child came up bc I was worried about getting PI'd
Probably chile
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Essentially Flyertalk / What song
« on: April 30, 2024, 06:51:36 AM »
Voodoo chil(e)d
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Essentially Flyertalk / Re: Kc restaurant suggestions
« on: April 29, 2024, 09:18:21 PM »Is that for 2? Portion sizes are out of control in America, these days.Right!
$25 dinner and lunch the next day
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