Young people in Denmark could unknowingly help Russian spies by accepting apparently harmless photography assignments online, the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (Politiets Efterretningstjeneste, PET) has warned. The risk has gained new attention after two young men were accused of photographing a Danish defence company and sending the images to someone on Telegram.
The two Ukrainian men, aged 18 and 21, were arrested on 19 October on suspicion of helping Russian intelligence by photographing MyDefence, a company developing counter-drone technology in Nørresundby, near Aalborg. Prosecutors allege the pictures were forwarded to a Telegram user. Both men deny wrongdoing.
North Jutland Police confirmed that the men were released on 23 October because there were insufficient grounds to seek their continued detention. They remain suspects, and the investigation is continuing with PET’s assistance. Investigators have not publicly established what the two knew about the recipient or the purpose of the photographs.
How a simple photo assignment can help Russian spies
In a statement on 5 September, PET described how Russian intelligence services recruit people through social media, gaming platforms and messaging apps such as Telegram. Recruits may be paid to photograph workplaces, warehouses, vehicles or entrances. Individual tasks can look ordinary, but the resulting material can help prepare reconnaissance or sabotage.
Some people may not know who is commissioning the work or how their images will be used. PET said payment can also be made in cryptocurrency. It urged people to decline unusual requests for photographs or information from unknown individuals and contact the police when they suspect foreign intelligence activity.
The agency has assessed the Russian sabotage threat in Denmark as high, particularly for defence firms and businesses involved in military support for Ukraine. It has not announced an imminent attack at any particular site. NordiskPost previously reported on the broader threat and the recruitment methods identified by PET.
Defence companies are reassessing their safeguards
Following the Aalborg investigation, the Confederation of Danish Industry (Dansk Industri) and the Danish Chamber of Commerce (Dansk Erhverv) urged defence companies and their suppliers to review security arrangements, according to DR. Industry representatives warned that less obvious links in defence supply chains could become vulnerabilities.
Systematic, an Aarhus software company whose products are used in NATO missions, told DR that it was increasing its vigilance, including around suspicious emails, telephone calls and approaches on social media.
Police have reiterated PET’s warning that even an apparently innocent photo assignment could contribute to serious crimes. Whether that happened in the MyDefence case, and what the two men understood about the assignment, remain matters for investigators to establish.
