If I were in charge of the operation (calm down, Interpol, I’m not!), I’d have my people make use of the event for cover or manipulate those activists into doing it for me. Absolutely could be ordinary homegrown terrorism but Russia has been more aggressive than usual lately which, for them, is saying something.
If it’s the farmers acting on their own, simple enough, I’m wrong. No issues with that.
If they were receiving support from the Russians (encouragement, incitement, materials, methods, etc.) or there was more direct involvement, the goal may be destruction and disruption as punishment for the ongoing support of Ukraine’s defense. It’s part of the Budget Day agenda so that may be their motivation. Being able to plausibly point the finger in other directions reduces the risk of consequences even if there’s a reason to suspect that they had something to do with it. Uncertainty in the immediate aftermath could buy time for their people to get out or hide while police are looking at the farmers and then they can drop hints without explicitly claiming responsibility.
My usual assumption is that anything I can think of is already in a Kremlin memo with pros and cons scribbled in the margins. Doesn’t make it true but it means I’m not surprised as often.
If I were in charge of the operation (calm down, Interpol, I’m not!), I’d have my people make use of the event for cover or manipulate those activists into doing it for me. Absolutely could be ordinary homegrown terrorism but Russia has been more aggressive than usual lately which, for them, is saying something.
What’s the point of intimidation if your target thinks someone else did it?
Meanwhile the Dutch police department suspects that it’s farmers who are angry at government plans to stop funding their excessive meat exports.
If it’s the farmers acting on their own, simple enough, I’m wrong. No issues with that.
If they were receiving support from the Russians (encouragement, incitement, materials, methods, etc.) or there was more direct involvement, the goal may be destruction and disruption as punishment for the ongoing support of Ukraine’s defense. It’s part of the Budget Day agenda so that may be their motivation. Being able to plausibly point the finger in other directions reduces the risk of consequences even if there’s a reason to suspect that they had something to do with it. Uncertainty in the immediate aftermath could buy time for their people to get out or hide while police are looking at the farmers and then they can drop hints without explicitly claiming responsibility.
My usual assumption is that anything I can think of is already in a Kremlin memo with pros and cons scribbled in the margins. Doesn’t make it true but it means I’m not surprised as often.