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Russia has significantly intensified efforts to acquire Western technologies and defense-related secrets as sanctions continue to restrict its military-industrial capabilities and place increasing pressure on its wartime economy, according to senior European intelligence officials.
Speaking to the Associated Press, three high-ranking European intelligence representatives said Moscow has expanded espionage operations aimed at obtaining advanced industrial equipment, scientific research and dual-use technologies critical for sustaining its military production, UATV English reports.
“Russia knows exactly what it needs and is making substantial efforts to obtain advanced machine tools, industrial equipment, scientific research and dual-use technologies,” said Christopher Wedelin, deputy head of operations at the Swedish Security Service.
According to Wedelin, Russian intelligence services have focused on Sweden’s defense sector and weapons research programs, including technologies related to the Gripen fighter jet. Moscow is also attempting to obtain camera systems and laser technologies originally designed for civilian purposes but capable of being integrated into military platforms.
Juha Martelius, director of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service, said Russia is additionally targeting long-term strategic technologies that could help it maintain competitiveness with Western countries for decades.
“These include space technologies, quantum technologies, Arctic technologies and maritime technologies,” Martelius said, noting that space-related capabilities are of particular importance to Russia at the present stage. Such technologies play a critical role in satellite communications, navigation and intelligence gathering.
He added that Russia continues to seek access to sanctioned computer technologies as well as software updates required for advanced metal-processing machinery used in industrial production.
European intelligence officials warned that Russian procurement networks have become increasingly sophisticated, creating a growing risk that Western companies may unknowingly become part of supply chains supporting Russia’s war effort.
“All Russian security and intelligence services are involved in helping the state acquire these capabilities,” Wedelin said. “They are now less concerned about being exposed and are willing to take greater risks to achieve their objectives.”
The warning comes amid broader concerns about Russia’s hostile activities across Europe. This week, GCHQ Director Anne Keast-Butler accused Moscow of targeting the United Kingdom and its allies through technology theft, cyberattacks, sabotage operations and assassination plots.
Wedelin noted that Russia is also conducting cyber operations against European companies and critical infrastructure in an effort to collect intelligence that could be exploited in future crises. He pointed to a cyberattack against a Swedish power facility last year that Russian-linked actors allegedly attempted to disrupt, though the effort ultimately failed.
According to European intelligence assessments, Russia’s increasingly aggressive tactics may reflect growing concerns within the Kremlin about the state of the country’s economy.
Kaapo Rosin, head of Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, said intelligence reporting indicates that sentiment among Russian officials has deteriorated noticeably over the past six months. He noted that rhetoric about achieving a “complete victory” in Ukraine has largely disappeared from internal discussions.
“Because of the lack of progress on the battlefield and worsening economic conditions, many Russian officials are quietly asking: ‘What is all this for?’” Rosin said.
The intelligence assessments come as Russia faces mounting economic challenges. Roughly one-third of the country’s GDP is now directed toward military needs, while sanctions and wartime spending continue to fuel inflation and slow economic growth.
Earlier reports indicated that Russian military expenditures in 2026 could exceed budgeted levels by at least 2 trillion rubles ($28 billion), adding further pressure to an economy already struggling under the weight of prolonged war and international restrictions.
