Russian intelligence agencies have increased efforts to steal Western technology and defense secrets amidst ongoing sanctions and economic difficulties due to the Ukraine war. They employ fake companies, middlemen, cyber spies, and hackers targeting advanced machine tools, factory equipment, dual-use civilian and defense technology including Sweden's Gripen fighter jet tech, quantum, space, arctic, and marine technologies. Russia is also conducting cyberattacks on European firms and critical infrastructure, including a failed cyberattack on a Swedish power plant aiming to undermine Western support for Ukraine. Russian economic issues are exacerbated by war costs, inflation, and sanctions, risking a financial crisis later in 2026 despite recent oil price-driven revenue spikes.

Russian intelligence agencies have increased efforts to steal Western technology and defense secrets amidst ongoing sanctions and economic difficulties due to the Ukraine war. They employ fake companies, middlemen, cyber spies, and hackers targeting advanced machine tools, factory equipment, dual-use civilian and defense technology including Sweden's Gripen fighter jet tech, quantum, space, arctic, and marine technologies. Russia is also conducting cyberattacks on European firms and critical infrastructure, including a failed cyberattack on a Swedish power plant aiming to undermine Western support for Ukraine. Russian economic issues are exacerbated by war costs, inflation, and sanctions, risking a financial crisis later in 2026 despite recent oil price-driven revenue spikes.