Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, European security services have warned that Moscow is systematically turning numerous seemingly innocuous properties across Europe into potential intelligence and logistics points.
According to officials, this is part of a broader “hybrid war” strategy by which the Kremlin tests the resilience of the West without an open military conflict, writes Večernji.
Active and former intelligence officers from several European countries told the British media that there is a fear that certain locations are already equipped with explosives, drones or other equipment ready for activation in a crisis situation. Instead of a classic invasion, Russia could try to paralyze traffic, energy and communications with coordinated sabotage, while staying below the threshold that would automatically trigger NATO’s Article 5.
The new head of Britain’s MI6 intelligence service, Blaise Metreweli, has warned that the UK is in a “space between peace and war”, pointing out that Moscow is using methods just below the level of open conflict. Similar warnings are coming from Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelensky claims that Russia has already begun a wider conflict against the West.
Of particular concern is the purchase of real estate near military bases, submarine cables and other critical infrastructure. In Britain, suspicious acquisitions near MI6 headquarters in London and the US embassy have been investigated, while experts fear possible purchases near a nuclear submarine base in Scotland or strategic points in the north of the country. Similar cases were recorded around British military facilities in Cyprus.
In July, Finland introduced an almost complete ban on the sale of real estate to Russian and Belarusian citizens, and the Baltic countries followed suit. However, most EU countries have not resorted to such strict measures, partly due to economic reasons, which according to analysts leaves room for abuse.
Some of the disputed objects are formally owned by the Russian state, while others are registered to private individuals or companies. Poland closed the Russian consulate in Gdansk and Britain withdrew diplomatic status from an East Sussex estate after reports of surveillance drones. Latvia has closed some resorts from the Soviet era due to doubts about their purpose.
In the Nordic countries, real estate purchases linked to the Russian Orthodox Church near military installations in Norway and Sweden attracted additional attention. Intelligence services estimate that such locations could be used for surveillance, signal jamming or logistical support for operatives.
Similar patterns were observed in southern Europe, including areas around naval bases in Sicily, Crete and mainland Greece, as well as near sensitive locations in London, Paris and Geneva. Experts remind us that even during the Cold War, the Soviet Union used apartments and other facilities in European capitals for espionage and hiding equipment.
Switzerland in particular stands out as a potential target, with allegations that Russian operatives have used the properties to intercept communications and track chemical weapons experts. At the same time, there has been an increase in purchases in rural areas around Geneva, raising concerns about possible sabotage of energy and data infrastructure.
Security services warn that China is taking a similar, albeit more long-term, approach, buying facilities near strategic communications hubs. While China’s activities reportedly focus on data collection, Russia’s is seen as a more immediate security threat.
Despite growing warnings, European countries still do not have a single answer. The attempt to introduce a ban on the sale of real estate to Russian buyers at the EU level did not pass, and some countries fear the economic consequences. Security experts warn that the fragmented approach makes it difficult to effectively defend against a threat that transcends national borders.
