A secret Russian spy unit, known as the Department of Special Tasks (SSD), is leading a series of covert attacks across Europe and beyond, according to Western intelligence officials. This unit operates from a high-security military-intelligence complex in Moscow and has been involved in attempted assassinations, sabotage, and even a plot to place incendiary devices on airplanes.
The SSD was reportedly formed in 2023 in response to growing Western support for Ukraine. It has brought together some of Russia’s most experienced intelligence operatives, including those involved in past high-profile attacks. This unit is believed to have absorbed members of an older spy group known for the poisoning of a Russian double agent in the UK in 2018.
Western officials say the SSD has a clear mission: to disrupt and weaken the West. This includes carrying out attacks on key industries, recruiting spies in foreign countries, and even trying to influence businesses and universities. Intelligence sources claim that SSD operatives have been active in several European nations, targeting military suppliers and critical infrastructure.
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Deadly Plots and Covert Attacks
One of the SSD’s most alarming operations involved a plot to smuggle incendiary devices onto airplanes. In July 2024, packages containing these devices ignited at major shipping hubs in Germany and the UK. If the timing had been different, the devices could have exploded mid-flight, potentially bringing down planes. Security agencies later discovered that this was likely a test run for a larger plan to target flights bound for North America.
The SSD has also been linked to attacks on European arms manufacturers. In Germany, operatives allegedly set fire to a weapons factory that supplies Ukraine. Intelligence sources say they also uncovered an assassination plot targeting the head of a major German arms company. In France, a man connected to the SSD was arrested after a bomb exploded in his hotel room, and authorities believe he had planned to target a home improvement store.
Meanwhile, in Poland, security officials claim SSD operatives attempted to set a major shopping center on fire. A similar attack was foiled in Ukraine, where authorities said they stopped a Russian-planned effort to burn down multiple supermarkets and a café.
Western security officials say the SSD’s focus on Germany is particularly strong. Russia reportedly views the country as a weak point in NATO due to its dependence on Russian energy and internal political divisions. Intelligence sources believe this has made Germany a prime target for SSD operations.
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Growing Concerns Among Western Leaders
Western governments are increasingly alarmed by the SSD’s operations. Intelligence agencies in the US and Europe have been working to track the unit’s movements and disrupt its plans. In August 2024, top US officials reportedly called Russian leaders to demand a stop to the incendiary device plot. Russian officials denied any involvement, but Western security agencies remain on high alert.
The European Union has sanctioned members of the SSD for orchestrating attacks, and the United States has indicted several operatives, offering rewards for information on those involved in cyberattacks and sabotage efforts. Some lawmakers and security experts believe that Western countries should take stronger action against the SSD, warning that the covert war Russia is waging against the West could escalate further.
Despite a recent slowdown in SSD activities, intelligence officials believe the group remains a serious threat. The unit operates under broad orders from Russian leadership, and while top officials may not approve every operation, the SSD is believed to have significant freedom to carry out its missions. As tensions between Russia and the West continue, security agencies remain on high alert for the next move from this dangerous and shadowy spy unit.
