![\"Alamy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_309186044-23e2.jpg\")
\n\t\tSeveral explosions have been reported at major arms manufacturers this month (Picture: Alamy Live News)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tSeveral explosions have been reported at major arms manufacturers this month (Picture: Alamy Live News)<\/p>\n
Russia<\/a> has been suspected of launching several attacks on weapons and defence factories across Europe as part of a \u2018destabilisation campaign\u2019.<\/p>\n The alleged operations are thought to be designed to test NATO\u2019s resolve while stopping short of triggering Article 5, which is the alliance\u2019s mutual defence clause.<\/p>\n Last week,Latvia<\/a> detained three of its own nationals over a suspected arson attack on a drone manufacturer in neighbouring Estonia<\/a>.<\/p>\n A building belonging to Milrem Robotics, a Tallinn-based company supplying weapons to Ukraine<\/a>, was set alight on August 15.<\/p>\n Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has said the country is investigating whether the fire was an act of sabotage and whether Russia was involved.<\/p>\n It comes after a series of suspected attacks involving companies that are supplying Ukraine\u2019s military have also been attacked.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a><\/strong> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> <\/strong>alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n \t\t A Nato official said Russia had \u2018accelerated its destabilisation campaigns\u2019 against member states in recent years, through the likes of cyber attacks, assassination attempts and sabotage.<\/p>\n Western intelligence sources have even claimed that the Kremlin is using local criminal gangs to carry out the attacks.<\/p>\n The campaign has been described as the Kremlin\u2019s \u2018hybrid war\u2019 against the the West to increase tensions between Nato allies and deter support for Ukraine.<\/p>\n Since Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there have been a number of unexplained fires and explosions at sites across Europe.<\/p>\n This month, explosions were reported at major arms manufacturers in Bulgaria<\/a> and Italy<\/a>.<\/p>\n On August 10, a major blast hit a plant belonging to EMCO, one of Bulgaria\u2019s largest private arms manufacturers, which produces 155mm artillery ammunition for Ukraine.<\/p>\n The initial fire was reportedly started by a blaze in a lorry parked near a storage warehouse.<\/p>\n Three days later, another explosion hit a munitions factory operated by KNDS Ammo Italy in Colleferro, near Rome<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t The cause was reportedly an unexplained fire in a gunpowder processing unit.<\/p>\n Officials in both Italy and Bulgaria, however, have played down any links with Russia. <\/p>\n Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has described suspected Russian sabotage as \u2018reckless and dangerous\u2019, calling for the alliance\u2019s response to be \u2018clear, swift and decisive\u2019.<\/p>\n A Nato official said the alliance was strengthening its ability to counter such operations and monitoring hostile activity carried out through proxies.<\/p>\n The official said Nato would remain prepared to \u2018deter and defend against any threat\u2019 to its members.<\/p>\n Earlier today, it was revealed that Ukraine<\/a>\u00a0marked its Independence Day by targeting\u00a0Vladimir Putin\u2019s online shopping hubs<\/a>.<\/p>\n Three Ozon marketplace logistics centres were engulfed by flames following the overnight strikes.<\/p>\n The attacks unfolded on the day UK prime minister Andy Burnham was making his first trip as leader to\u00a0Kyiv<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ozon is often referred to as the \u2018Amazon<\/a>\u00a0of\u00a0Russia<\/a>\u2019 and supports Moscow\u2019s military, Ukraine says.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/PRI_199756797-2e7f.jpg\")
\n\t\tA building belonging to Milrem Robotics was set alight earlier this month (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Municipal](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_309190579-a180.jpg\")
\n\t\tA railway station in Odesa, Ukraine, that was attacked by a Russian drone (Picture: Ukrinform\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: Russia pulls ambassador out of UK over Britain\u2019s \u2018path of confrontation\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Mystery as retired spy general with links to Russia\u2019s Defence Ministry found shot dead<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Russia brings war right to Europe\u2019s back door with explosive-filled sea drone<\/a><\/p>\n