Norway's security service warns Russian intelligence likely to carry out sabotage in Norway next year

In brief

• Norway's PST says there are strong grounds to expect Russian intelligence to carry out sabotage in Norway next year.
• Defence industry firms, including logistics companies, and critical infrastructure such as energy facilities are seen as the most likely targets.
• PST says it has no record of sabotage attempts against Norwegian sites so far, but Russian-linked actors have mapped infrastructure.
• Norway has also reported cyber activity, including a dam control system takeover.

Threat assessment raised

Norway's Police Security Service (PST) has raised its assessment of the sabotage threat facing the country, saying the danger rose sharply during 2026. The agency said there are good reasons to expect Russian intelligence to carry out sabotage in Norway in the coming year, according to its department director for state threats, Inger Haugland, who spoke to the Norwegian news agency NTB. (Norweski kontrwywiad alarmuje. Rosja może sięgnąć po drastyczne metody – Wirtualna Polska) (В Норвегії не виключають диверсій з боку РФ: розвідка перелічила, які об'єкти під загрозою – UNIAN) (У Норвегії попереджають про ризик російських диверсій наступного року – Європейська правда) (Норвежская спецслужба ожидает, что российская разведка совершит диверсии в Норвегии в следующем году – NV)

Methods and trend

PST said sabotage incidents across Europe fell somewhat in 2025 but climbed again in 2026, counting both completed operations and attempts that were foiled or failed. The methods include arson, explosives and drones. As an example, the agency pointed to an August incident at Leipzig/Halle airport in Germany, where a drone carrying explosives was found near Ukrainian transport aircraft. PST noted that most such operations are carried out by recruited intermediaries who may not know who is behind them.

Likely targets

The defence industry and companies supplying it, including logistics firms, are considered the most likely targets in Norway. Critical infrastructure, such as energy facilities, could also be hit. (Norwegia przygotowuje się na rosyjski sabotaż. Kontrwywiad nie wyklucza ofiar śmiertelnych – Rzeczpospolita)

Surveillance of sites

PST said it had no record of sabotage attempts against Norwegian facilities so far. However, the agency is aware that people linked to Russian intelligence have mapped infrastructure and potential targets in Norway.

Wider risks

Norwegian reporting says Norway has also seen cyber activity, including a case in which a dam water control system was taken over and state services were disrupted. Security officials have described the possibility of deadly attacks, including arson and bombings, as a real concern.