Russia’s Secret War in Europe: Inside the SSD Espionage Unit
How a Russian intelligence unit is waging a covert battle through sabotage, assassinations, and cyber infiltrations amid the ongoing war over Ukraine.
Watan-Amid the escalating war between Moscow and the West over Ukraine, intelligence reports have revealed a secret Russian espionage unit known as “SSD,” which carries out sabotage operations and assassinations in the heart of Europe.
According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the “Special Missions Directorate” of Russian intelligence, abbreviated as “SSD,” is leading a covert “shadow war” against Western nations allied with Kyiv.
Covert Operations and Infiltrations in Europe
The SSD unit has been active since 2023, having been established in response to Western military support for Ukraine. Since then, it has carried out sabotage attacks, assassinations, and placed incendiary devices on aircraft. It has also attempted to infiltrate Western universities and companies, as well as recruit foreign agents.
Reports indicate that the unit is behind a series of assassination attempts targeting prominent figures, including the CEO of a German arms company, as well as attacks on DHL commercial planes used by major European corporations.
Andrey Averyanov: The Mastermind Behind SSD
The SSD unit is led by General Andrey Averyanov, a senior intelligence officer in Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), with Ivan Kasyaninko serving as his deputy. Under their leadership, the unit operates a specialized training center for special forces known as “Senich,” where elite agents are prepared to infiltrate European countries and carry out secret attacks.
Has Russia Scaled Down Its Intelligence Activities in Preparation for Negotiations with Trump?
According to Western intelligence officials, SSD’s hostile activities have recently subsided after peaking in the summer of 2024. Analysts link this decline to potential negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has hinted at launching new peace efforts with Moscow.
This shift raises concerns in Western circles, amid growing fears that a Trump administration could abandon support for Ukraine and realign relations with Moscow after three years of political estrangement and economic sanctions.
Moscow Faces Accusations of Sabotage and Assassinations
Russia views the West as complicit in attacks against it, including the bombing of the Nord Stream pipelines and the assassinations of key officials in Moscow. Consequently, SSD is seen as a vital tool for deterrence and retaliation against European governments supporting Kyiv.
With the U.S. elections approaching, the question remains: Will Europe witness more Russian espionage and sabotage operations, or will Moscow-Washington relations take a new path toward de-escalation?
