Romania names Russia-run network behind Brasov weapons-factory fire

Romanian authorities have identified a sabotage network they say was coordinated by Russia as responsible for a fire at an industrial site near a state-owned weapons factory in the central city of Brasov on 14 September.

Romania's Intelligence Service said on Monday the blaze was part of a wider campaign targeting arms manufacturers and other targets of military and industrial interest, intended to intimidate states and undermine their defence contributions to European and regional security.

Romania's Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) said three people were involved in the Brasov fire: two Belarusians and a Ukrainian, all living in European Union countries. Two were tracked down and remanded in custody in Germany while preparing to commit similar offences, DIICOT said.

Romania's Intelligence Service said recruits for such networks are typically found on social media and initially offered money for seemingly harmless tasks such as observing or photographing targets, before being moved toward arson or other serious acts.

Foreign Minister Dan Neculaescu described the Brasov fire as part of a broader campaign of sabotage across Europe targeting military production.

Romania's centrist president Nicusor Dan has previously cited drone incursions into Romanian airspace, cyberattacks, disinformation and sabotage as elements of a hybrid war Russia is waging against states backing Kyiv. Russia has not commented on Monday's accusation and has previously denied similar allegations.

The announcement follows a string of incidents at European defence sites, including explosions at two Bulgarian ammunition facilities operated by arms maker EMCO, a blast at a KNDS ammunition factory near Rome in August, and firebombs thrown near a defence company's offices in Munich in September.