EU officials consider adding Russia's GRU to terrorist organization list
EU leaders are debating whether to list the Russian Defence Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) as a terrorist organization after a series of sabotage incidents in Europe.
EU policymakers are weighing a move to place Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate of the Defence Ministry, known as the GRU, on the bloc's terrorist organization roster. The initiative follows a wave of sabotage and hybrid attacks blamed on Russian special services, with investigations linking the GRU to operations in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Italy. Reports suggest Russian agents hire local saboteurs through encrypted messaging platforms, compensating them with cryptocurrency.
The EU has already broadened its terror designation framework by adding Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, indicating that state-affiliated groups can be targeted. Should the GRU be listed, all its assets and those of affiliated entities would be frozen, and EU businesses would be barred from providing any support. The decision requires unanimity among EU Council members and a judicial finding that the GRU has engaged in terrorist acts.
Why it matters
Labeling the GRU as a terrorist group would trigger sanctions and restrict its operations across Europe.
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