Norway’s domestic security service, PST, has warned that Russian intelligence agencies are recruiting minors in Europe to carry out espionage and potential sabotage activities.
The warning was outlined in Norway’s National Threat Assessment and highlighted by senior PST adviser Eirik Veum in an interview with Nettavisen, as per Norwegian media.
“PST is aware that Russian intelligence services recruit people in Europe, including minors, to carry out intelligence tasks, destructive activities and sabotage,” he said.
Authorities did not confirm whether such cases have occurred within Norway itself.
According to the report, Russian intelligence operations could intensify in Norway, employing a wide range of methods, including influence campaigns, agent recruitment, and surveillance of civilian and military infrastructure.
The assessment also states that Russia has long monitored military facilities and the activities of Norway’s allies, while mapping critical infrastructure across the country.
“With the increase in the number of military targets and the presence of allies, we expect an increase in the activity of Russian intelligence services,” the report said.
Officials warned that collected information could later be used in intelligence, information, and potentially sabotage operations.
Separately, Dutch intelligence agencies reported a related case involving a minor “linked to a pro-Russian group” who gathered information on foreign embassies and organisations in The Hague. Authorities said the activity was detected early and prevented from escalating.
Dutch media have also reported the arrest of at least two teenagers on suspicion of spying for Russia.
By Tamilla Hasanova