A job offer that initially seemed appealing to a 17-year-old Ukrainian refugee without work, promising a BMW car and approximately $11,000 in cash, eventually led Daniil Bardadim to jail in Lithuania. The offer, received through a shadowy group after he fled to Poland, involved participating in sabotage operations aimed at Europe. Bardadim, given an old BMW but no cash, was later arrested on terrorism charges for allegedly setting fire to an IKEA store. This revelation has sparked concern across Europe, as covert Russian attacks on shopping malls, warehouses, and other critical infrastructure have significantly increased. According to Lithuania’s State Security Department, Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, is orchestrating these efforts to sow discord and undermine support for Ukraine. Despite skepticism from some Western figures, Eastern European countries near Russia view these actions as a direct threat to their security, indicating Russia’s willingness and capability to operate beyond its borders. The motives behind individuals like Bardadim’s involvement are often financial, with many recruits drawn in by promises of easy money. The methods used by the GRU to recruit and direct these operations include social media and messaging apps. The intent behind these sabotage operations is not merely to cause nuisance, but to coerce and deter European countries from supporting Ukraine, as stated by Lithuania’s national security adviser.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/world/europe/lithuania-ikea-fire-russia-sabotage.html