Nicosia, Cyprus. British intelligence is increasingly concerned that Russian nationals linked to the Kremlin are acquiring properties near the RAF base at Akrotiri as part of a covert “hybrid warfare” strategy, according to reporting by The Telegraph.
Suspected uses of properties near the base
The Telegraph reported that homes purchased close to the British base are under suspicion for being used for surveillance, equipment storage or acts of sabotage.
Claims of a wider European network
The newspaper cited current and former intelligence officials who warned that Moscow is quietly building a network of “Trojan horse” properties across at least a dozen European states in efforts to undermine Western military infrastructure.
Potential targets and intended limits
According to the report, sites are allegedly positioned near air bases, ports, energy facilities and undersea cables, and could be activated to disrupt transport, communications or military operations while allowing Russia to deny direct involvement. The strategy is described as designed to stay below the threshold that would trigger Nato’s collective defence clause.
Reported increase in sabotage-linked activity
The report said sabotage operations linked to Moscow have intensified since the invasion of Ukraine, including arson attacks, parcel bombs and attempted infrastructure disruption in several European capitals, which intelligence sources believe may have served as test runs.
Focus on Cyprus and a separate missing-person case
Cyprus is considered particularly sensitive to British due to its geostrategic location in the East Med, the report said, adding that investigators have examined suspicious real estate acquisitions around Akrotiri. The security concerns have been further raised by a separate case involving the death of Vladislav Baumgartner, a Russian businessman who had been living near the British bases. Baumgartner, the former chief executive of fertiliser giant Uralkali, was reported missing on January 7 after disappearing from his home in Pissouri.
What measures, if any, should authorities take to address security concerns linked to property purchases near military bases?
