What is GRU? Russia's shadow military intelligence unit that secretly shapes world events

Western intelligence officials believe the GRU is leading a covert campaign in Europe aimed at disrupting support for Ukraine.

New Delhi: Ongoing war in Ukraine has cast a spotlight on the secretive world of Russian intelligence. Among the key players is the GRU (Glavnoye Razvedyvatelnoye Upravlenie), the military intelligence arm of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

A legacy of espionage

Dating back to the Soviet era, the GRU is shrouded in mystery. Its operations range from traditional human intelligence gathering to sophisticated cyberwarfare. The GRU stands accused of involvement in numerous global events, including:

• Election Interference: The GRU has been a prime suspect in attempts to manipulate elections in the US, France, and Montenegro. In 2016, the US imposed sanctions on GRU officials for alleged cyberattacks targeting the US presidential election.
• Doping Scandals: The GRU is believed to be behind a state-sponsored doping program that allowed Russian athletes to cheat their way to Olympic victories. This resulted in a ban for Russia at the 2018 Winter Games.
• Cyberwarfare: The GRU is a major player in Russia's cyber operations. They have been linked to hacking attacks on critical infrastructure, including attempts to infiltrate Ukrainian military systems.
• Covert Operations: The GRU is suspected of running a network of sleeper agents and conducting sabotage missions worldwide. From the Syrian War to the Skripal poisoning incident in England, the GRU's fingerprints are often suspected, though the agency denies all allegations.

Beyond espionage: Disrupting Ukraine support

The war in Ukraine has brought a new dimension to the GRU's activities. Western intelligence officials believe the GRU is leading a covert campaign in Europe aimed at disrupting support for Ukraine. This campaign involves:

• "Special Operations": These clandestine operations include arsons and attempted arsons targeting warehouses, factories, and even an Ikea store. While seemingly random, these attacks are believed to be designed to slow arms deliveries to Ukraine and weaken European resolve.
• Infiltrating Networks: The GRU is suspected of recruiting agents within Europe to carry out these operations and sow discord. Several arrests have been made in countries like Poland and Lithuania.

A growing threat?

The rise of "special operations" in Europe is a cause for concern. While these attacks haven't significantly impacted Ukraine yet, they signal a more aggressive approach from Russia. The upcoming meeting between NATO representatives and US intelligence officials highlights the seriousness of this evolving threat.

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