Estonia urges Europe to publicly prosecute Russia-linked saboteurs

Estonia’s domestic intelligence service has called on European governments to take a more assertive and transparent approach in tackling suspected sabotage operations linked to Russia, emphasising the importance of public prosecutions as a deterrent.

Officials from Kaitsepolitseiamet (Kapo) told the Financial Times that governments across Europe should act more quickly to expose and prosecute individuals involved in Russian-backed activities, arguing that legal action can help curb recruitment efforts.

“Russia and its services are doing things as long as we let them,” said Harrys Puusepp. “We can’t deter them from trying, we can’t stop them . . . but we can make it as difficult and costly as possible to carry them out.”

Puusepp said Estonia’s approach of imposing tough prison sentences has already shown results in discouraging potential recruits.

“We have confirmed intelligence that it has deterred the actors that Russia is trying to recruit. It’s a good idea for everyone,” he said. “Part of our international operation is to share experience, share what works.”

He also stressed the need for early intervention, adding: “It’s important to take action early on so it doesn’t develop into something worse . . . We can’t overstate the importance of legal tools.”

European security agencies have spent the past two years grappling with what officials describe as a campaign of hybrid warfare attributed to Moscow. According to Western assessments, Russian intelligence services have used social media platforms and criminal networks to recruit individuals — including marginalised citizens and refugees — to carry out acts ranging from sabotage and disinformation to espionage, often in exchange for modest financial incentives.

By Sabina Mammadli