Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
A growing wave of mysterious fires has struck key parts of Russia’s infrastructure over the past week, with several incidents described as arson or “spontaneous combustion.”
According to a source from Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), who spoke anonymously with the Kyiv Independent on Oct. 26, electrical panels, railway relay cabinets, and communication towers have caught fire in cities including Moscow.
The Kyiv Independent was unable to independently verify these claims, and Moscow has not issued any public comment on the reports of sabotage or accidental fires.
The incidents reportedly targeted infrastructure that supports Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, and HUR described the fires as part of a wider pattern of internal disruption inside Russian territory.
State media reports
Russian state and regional outlets, which operate under Kremlin control, have acknowledged several October incidents involving civilians—some reportedly minors—detained for setting fires to railway relay cabinets and telecommunications equipment.
While Russian media confirmed that electrical panels and signal systems have been damaged by fire, they did not link the events to the conflict in Ukraine or to organized sabotage efforts.
Growing resistance
Local sabotage groups have been active in Russia and in territories occupied by Russian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
These groups have often focused on railway systems, but the overall effect of their actions remains uncertain.
HUR released a video that it claims shows Russian saboteurs setting fires to infrastructure.
The agency, citing members of what it called the resistance movement, warned that “there will be more to come.”
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, who may have used AI in the preparation
