Russia Targets Businesses and Officials Behind Europe’s Ukraine Defense Supply Chain
Brief
In late 2025 and early 2026, German authorities were reportedly investigating surveillance of the CEO of German drone manufacturer Donaustahl and his family. Donaustahl forms part of the European industrial base supporting Ukraine’s drone and weapons production. [2][3]
These cases sit within a wider pattern. In 2024, Western officials warned that Russia was conducting sabotage across Europe, including arson, vandalism and assassination plots. CSIS has described this broader activity as part of Russia’s shadow war against the West. [8] In April 2026, Russia’s Ministry of Defense publicly released addresses of European drone manufacturers supporting Ukraine.
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and current deputy chair of the Security Council, also described such sites as potential Russian targets. [4][5] Taken together, these incidents suggest that Russia’s campaign is expanding.