The Active Measures Newsletter Podcast Hired Agents Sow Russian Chaos in Europe with Naomi O’Leary of The Irish Times
Nov 22, 2025
Naomi O’Leary, the Europe correspondent for The Irish Times, dives into the alarming tactics of Russian hybrid warfare, including incidents like severed pig heads outside French mosques. She details the recruitment of 'Telegram agents' for small-scale sabotage aimed at disrupting unity among Western states. The discussion spans various attacks across Europe, from arson to drone incursions, and highlights how these incidents are spun in Russian media to amplify narratives. O'Leary emphasizes the importance of investigative journalism amidst a U.S. media gap on these threats.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Telegram-Based Sabotage Campaigns
- Russia runs low-cost, deniable campaigns using Telegram to recruit locals for sabotage.
- The aim is to sow discord, weaken cohesion, and undermine support for Ukraine.
Database Of ~24 Attributed Incidents
- Naomi O’Leary built a database of ~24 Europe incidents linked to Russia.
- Incidents include pigs' heads at mosques, arson, parcel explosions, and drone incursions.
Attribute Early To Blunt Impact
- Public attribution by authorities limits intended impact, so be transparent quickly.
- Name probable foreign influence early to reduce spread and public confusion.