Brussels: Russia has established a new covert military unit within its intelligence service to conduct sabotage, assassinations, and espionage across Europe, raising alarms among Western security agencies, The Wall Street Journal reported on February 15.
A Shadowy Force Operating Across Europe
Western intelligence agencies have identified the clandestine unit, known as the Russian Department of Special Tasks (SSD), as part of Russia’s GRU military intelligence. Headquartered in Moscow, the SSD is believed to be responsible for a series of sabotage attempts, including efforts to plant incendiary devices on aircraft and targeted assassination plots against Western defense executives.
According to intelligence sources, the Kremlin created the SSD in 2023 as a response to the increasing military aid provided by NATO countries to Ukraine. Russian officials reportedly view Western nations as legitimate targets, holding them responsible for attacks on key Russian infrastructure—such as the Nord Stream pipeline explosion and Ukraine’s strikes on Russian military assets.
The SSD has now taken over several high-risk operations previously managed by GRU Unit 29155, which Western authorities have linked to the 2018 poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in the UK.
Who’s Behind the SSD?
The secretive unit is reportedly led by Colonel General Andrey Averyanov and Lieutenant General Ivan Kasianenko, both highly experienced figures in Russian intelligence and military operations.
- Andrey Averyanov, a veteran of the Chechen wars, was allegedly involved in the 2014 Czech ammunition depot explosion and played a role in Russia’s annexation of Crimea that same year.
- Ivan Kasianenko, his deputy, previously worked under diplomatic cover in Tehran and was instrumental in strengthening Russia-Iran military ties. He has also been linked to the Skripal poisoning and is believed to have overseen the Wagner Group’s transition in Africa following the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin.
A Growing Threat to NATO and the West
Western security agencies believe the SSD has already executed multiple sabotage missions across Europe, including an attempted assassination of a German arms manufacturer CEO and efforts to smuggle explosives onto cargo planes.
Intelligence sources further suggest that Russian operatives are actively recruiting spies within European institutions, focusing on officials in Ukraine, Serbia, and non-aligned nations. The European Union and the United States have already sanctioned several SSD operatives, accusing them of cyberattacks, assassinations, and acts of terrorism targeting NATO allies.
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The SSD’s activities mark a sharp escalation in Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy, fueling growing concerns within NATO. Some Western security officials warn that the alliance must adopt a wartime mindset to counter these covert threats effectively.
Senior NATO official James Appathurai cautioned that Russia is engaged in a broad strategic campaign that could escalate further if left unchallenged.
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Meanwhile, Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Agency (FE) recently issued a stark warning: Russia could be prepared for a large-scale European war within five years unless NATO takes decisive action to deter its aggression.
