former Kreml insider warns of possible Russian attack in Europe

A former high-ranking Russian defence ministry official, who helped implement Moscow’s military plans, has told DR there is a real risk of a Russian attack in Denmark’s vicinity within a year.

The ex-insider, interviewed by DR for the documentary War Plan Europe, said Russia has spent years preparing for a possible military confrontation with Europe. He worked on concrete construction plans for new bases designed to enable war with European states and saw how naval and army forces would be deployed in the event of conflict.

He described how mobilisation and initial deployment would proceed, including timetables and locations for staging areas. The plans were drawn up after Vladimir Putin’s return as president in 2012, when Europe shifted from being seen as a negotiable neighbour to an adversary, he said.

Military cooperation with NATO and Western actors was ordered to cease on Putin’s command, according to the former official, who left Russia and now lives under protection abroad. His identity is withheld for security reasons.

He added that the decisive shift in attitude towards Europe came after the 2014 annexation of Crimea, when European condemnation and sanctions began to provoke Putin’s inner circle.

Russia’s military focus on Europe intensified after Crimea, he said, including the reorganisation of military districts. In 2024, the Leningrad Military District was re-established, responsible for forces along the borders with the Nordic and Baltic states. He called it a strategic signal aimed at Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea region.

DR requested comment from Russia’s ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, who did not address the claims directly but stated that EU and NATO are building up forces along Russia’s borders and developing “operative plans for military actions against Russia.”

DR verified the former insider’s identity through the exiled Russian organisation Dossier Center, which assisted with his asylum. The centre confirmed frequent contact with him and that no payment was made for the interview.