In a recently published article in New York Times US officials claim that Western authorities believe the letter bomb attacks in Spain were directed by Russian intelligence.
The authorities believe, according to the sources, that the far-right Russian militia called RIM (Russian Imperial Movement) sent the letter bombs, encouraged by Russian intelligence.
– This seems like a warning. Russia sent a signal that it was prepared to use terrorist organizations to attack the West, said lawyer Nathan Sales, who led the State Department’s counter-terrorism division under the Trump administration.
LETTER BOMB: This is what the consignments that several institutions have received in Spain look like. The letter pictured is the one sent to the Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine / Reuters
– Important to follow
Tom Røseth, head lecturer in intelligence at the Norwegian Defense Academy, believes that the information base is currently too small to establish that Russia “ordered” the attacks.
However, he does not rule out that there are far-right groups, also in Europe, which may be interested in carrying out terror on behalf of Russia.
– There is strong support for Ukraine in Europe, but if groups emerge that not only support Russia, but are thinking of carrying out terrorist attacks in European states, it is of course extremely important to keep an eye on them, says Røseth to TV 2.
FOLLOW: Head teacher in intelligence, Tom Røseth, believes that PST must keep a close eye on pro-Russian groups in Norway. Photo: Martin Berg Isaksen / TV 2
He believes it is important for PST and other security services in Europe to follow these groupings.
– There are actors all around who support Moscow politically, but there is a great distance from it to prevent such actions, he says.
In Norway too, according to Røseth, there are actors who may be willing to accept money from the Kremlin to carry out certain actions, but probably not terrorism.
TV 2 has been in contact with PST, but they have not yet responded to our inquiries.
High threshold in the Kremlin
Røseth believes that the threshold for carrying out terror that can easily be linked directly to the Kremlin is still high for President Putin.
However, Russian intelligence services have carried out murders and attempted murders against Russians in exile in, for example, Great Britain.
– State-led terror from Moscow against targets in Europe cannot be ruled out, but the risk will only increase with a more desperate Putin and a more desperate regime, says Røseth.
Thus, subtly inciting or funding extreme groups may be a more likely method.
– That they (Russia) support right-wing radical movements and try to divide public opinion in the West is something they have done for a long time and is an ongoing strategy, says Røseth.
Not surprised
NUPI researcher and Russia expert Jakub Godzimirski believes it seems likely that Russian intelligence has been involved in the letter bombs.
– I would not be surprised if it was ordered from Moscow, because it fits in well with things they have done before, says Godzimirski to TV 2.
He highlights, among other things, the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, as well as a British couple, in Salisbury in 2018.
NOT SURPRISING: It is not surprising if the letter bombs were directed by Russia, believes NUPI researcher Jakub Godzimirski. Photo: Sveinung Kyte / TV 2
Like Røseth, Godzimirski believes that there are several groups around that can assist Russia with such actions if desired.
– A number of groups that are not necessarily pro-Russian, but anti-American, can easily be activated in such a situation. It is easy to play on those feelings, says Godzimirski.
He nevertheless believes that the most likely goals for Russia are to hit European infrastructure and digital systems, as well as to influence and divide public opinion.
Sent several letter bombs
It was in November and December 2022 that several letter bombs were sent to high-ranking government officials and embassies in Spain.
No one was killed in the attacks, but an employee of the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid was injured.
RIM, which, according to the New York Times’ sources, is suspected of being behind it, has its headquarters in St. Petersburg. They are considered an international terrorist organization by the US State Department.
The group is said to be connected to Russian intelligence, and key figures are said to have recently been in Spain where, according to the police, they have close contact with Spanish right-wing extremists.
