Europe targeted by spiralling campaign of sabotage and Russia is the chief suspect

As summer temperatures in Europe smashed records this summer and many politicians shifted to holiday mode, Russia remained focused on its war.

Not only did its military attacks across Ukraine intensify last month, becoming ever more deadly for civilians, Russia also appears to have escalated its sabotage campaign across Europe.

This time, military and defence sector sites were the prime target.

A full month after drones packed with explosives were found at Leipzig's airport, used by Ukraine to transport military goods, Germany's interior minister has declared that "Russia is responsible".

Russia's President Vladimir Putin is demanding proof, as always, and his officials call the accusation "absurd". But the drones were just a dramatic start. August then brought a series of suspicious fires at defence facilities from Italy to Estonia.

Some of the affected countries have already blamed Russia; others are still investigating and some fires may eventually be ruled accidental, exactly as such attacks are designed to seem.

Poland's interior minister is clear. "There are many, many signals that Russia is changing its strategy and intensifying its activities, including terrorist and sabotage activities," Marcin Kierwiński said, warning people to be on their guard.

FULL REPORT AT: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y4g6meekro