Denmark’s intelligence agency, Politiets Efterretningstjeneste (PET), has warned that the country may face a new wave of Russian spies posing as “journalists or business people” following last year’s expulsions of 15 Russian intelligence officers working under diplomatic cover.
In its annual assessment of the espionage threat to Denmark, the agency said that foreign states were using a range of methods to spy on and influence the country. The report stated that the espionage threat is not only directed at politicians and public officials, but also at critical infrastructure, companies, research institutions, students, refugees, and dissidents.
The PET report cited the Centre for Cyber Security, which described Russia as possessing “substantial cyber espionage capabilities” and warned that “Russian cyber actors pose a constant threat to Danish authorities and companies.”
The PET report highlighted that Russia’s intelligence services were “continuously” attempting to “collect information on Danish technology and research in areas where Danish companies and research institutions are market leaders.” The report mentioned maritime technology, sensor and laser equipment, and various types of industrial machines used by the Russian armed forces as examples of the items being targeted by Russia.
In September 2022, experts warned that Western companies should be on “full alert” regarding Moscow’s intelligence activities following President Putin’s call on the SVR, Russia’s foreign intelligence service, to support the country’s technological development as it deals with mounting sanctions.
The PET report also warned that Russia uses its significant cyber capabilities for systematic support of its national interests. It further cautioned that “cyber espionage can also be used for preparing destructive cyber attacks.”
The report, however, did not provide any assessment of how likely such attacks were. Denmark’s Centre for Cyber Security has described Russia as possessing “substantial cyber espionage capabilities” and warned that “Russian cyber actors pose a constant threat to Danish authorities and companies.”
Denmark’s warnings reflect increasing concerns among Western countries about the activities of Russian intelligence. In recent years, Russia has been accused of hacking elections, spreading disinformation, and carrying out cyberattacks, among other actions.
The European Union and the United States have imposed economic sanctions on Russia in response to its actions, and NATO has increased its military presence in Eastern Europe in response to Russian aggression.
