Unit 29155 of the Russian GRU carries out clandestine operations in Europe. Find out about its role in hybrid warfare and its international repercussions.

Unit 29155 is a secret unit of the GRU, the Russian military intelligence service, specialising in destabilisation operations abroad. It has been identified as being behind targeted assassinations, sabotage and psychological attacks in Europe. Its actions are designed to weaken democratic institutions, sow confusion and influence political outcomes. The unit is an integral part of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy, which combines conventional military tactics with covert operations to achieve its political and geopolitical objectives without launching an open war.

The origins and missions of Unit 29155

Unit 29155, an offshoot of the GRU (Russian Main Intelligence Directorate), has been active for several years, although it was only revealed to the general public in 2019. According to reports, the unit operates in a highly secretive environment and is made up of special forces veterans, including agents who have served in Afghanistan, Chechnya and other conflict zones. These agents have been trained to carry out clandestine missions, including targeted assassinations, sabotage and political destabilisation operations.

The unit’s missions include actions aimed at weakening foreign governments using unconventional methods. For example, attacks on civilian infrastructure, such as electricity grids or transport systems, have been attributed to unit 29155. One of the most famous examples is the Poisoning of Sergei Skripal with Novitchok in the UK in 2018, which has been widely attributed to this unit. This type of operation is part of Russia’s strategy of waging hybrid warfare, combining conventional warfare with subversive actions and cyber attacks.

Unit 29155 does not operate in isolation. It works with other branches of the GRU, as well as paramilitary groups, to carry out coordinated actions. These operations are often difficult to detect because of their clandestine nature, which allows Russia to deny any direct involvement, while weakening its opponents economically and politically.

Sabotage and targeted assassinations

Unit 29155 is particularly well known for its targeted assassinations and sabotage in Europe. These actions are often directed against political opponents, defector spies or figures who threaten Russian interests. In addition to the Skripal attack, the unit has been accused of organising several other operations, including assassination attempts against politicians in the Balkans. In 2016, the unit was involved in an attempted coup d’état in Montenegro, aimed at preventing the country from joining NATO. This operation was aimed at neutralising Montenegro’s pro-Western leaders, illustrating the unit’s ability to interfere directly in the political affairs of other nations.

In addition to assassinations, unit 29155 carries out sabotage actions. Sabotage can include attacks on strategic infrastructures such as pipelines, communications networks or energy installations. For example, mysterious explosions at arms depots in the Czech Republic in 2014 were attributed to this unit, although Russia denied any involvement. These actions not only disrupt the local economy, but also create a climate of mistrust and fear, weakening the stability of the governments targeted.

The economic and political costs of these operations are high for the targeted countries. Millions of euros are lost through material damage and disruption to essential infrastructure. It also pushes Western governments to strengthen their domestic security and devote more resources to the fight against hybrid threats, leading to an escalation in international tensions. The aim of these actions is not just to cause material damage, but also to influence geopolitical dynamics.

Hybrid warfare and its role in Russian strategies

Unit 29155 plays a key role in Russia’s strategy of hybrid warfare, which mixes traditional military tactics with unconventional actions such as disinformation, cyber attacks and targeted assassinations. Russia uses this strategy to achieve its geopolitical objectives while avoiding direct military confrontation with NATO or other opposing forces. This type of asymmetric warfare allows Russia to maintain strategic ambiguity, making it difficult for its adversaries to respond with direct action.

Hybrid warfare is based on the combined use of several types of operations, ranging from cyberattacks to propaganda, sabotage and assassinations. Unit 29155, in particular, specialises in discreet, targeted actions aimed at weakening the adversary from within. For example, by disrupting electoral processes or supporting pro-Russian opposition groups, Russia can influence the political outcomes of key countries without overt military intervention.

One of the important points about hybrid warfare is that it exploits the structural flaws of Western democracies. Open societies are more vulnerable to information manipulation and disinformation campaigns. As a result, Unit 29155 can operate in a framework where the effects of its actions are amplified by the internal divisions of the target countries. Recent developments in Eastern Europe, where several countries have reported Russian interference in their political affairs, show just how effective this strategy is.

Geopolitical and economic consequences of Unit 29155’s activities

The actions of Unit 29155 have major geopolitical consequences. They create instability in the target countries, undermining public confidence in democratic institutions and creating a climate of diplomatic tension between Russia and Western countries. These actions often lead to economic sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and other allies against Russia. For example, following the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, economic sanctions were imposed on several Russian individuals and companies, further isolating Russia on the international stage.

In military terms, the actions of this unit increase the need for Western countries to strengthen their asymmetric defence capabilities. This is reflected in an increase in the military budgets allocated to cybersecurity and special operations. For example, in 2021, the European Union has allocated an additional €2 billion to strengthen its capabilities in cyberdefence and fighting hybrid terrorism.

The economic impact on Russia is also significant. While sanctions are weakening the Russian economy, Russia’s increased reliance on unconventional strategies to achieve its political objectives reflects the relative weakness of its conventional military forces compared to NATO. However, by investing in units such as 29155, Russia continues to exploit its asymmetric advantages, playing a key role in today’s international relations.

Unit 29155 represents a key element of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy. By operating under the radar and carrying out actions of sabotage, targeted assassinations and political destabilisation, it enables Russia to weaken its adversaries while maintaining a degree of ambiguity. The development of these specialised units reflects the evolution of modern methods of warfare, where asymmetry and information play as crucial a role as brute force.

Want to fly a fighter jet ? Get in touch.