The Return of Kremlin Terrorism || Apr. 22, 2026
During the Cold War, Soviet intelligence agencies actively sponsored or even created terror cells throughout Europe. A recent mass shooting event in Ukraine suggest a return to old habits could well be happening.
The most obvious fertile ground would be pro-Russian or Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine. Next on the list would be far-right political movements across Europe.
Looking for something else?
The links below will take you to the Zeihan on Geopolitics YouTube page, each of our social media channels, info on how to purchase Peter Zeihan's books, our website, and more. Click the box to navigate to your desired page.
If there is still something else that you need, the helpful links tab below will direct you to anything you might need. This includes the Patreon support page, how to submit a question for Peter, and more.
Comments (31)
I came across the process of radicalization by KGB/FSB, the victim won't know he is being recruited by the russian government, secondly, they demolish the victim morally for many months until read to end. So you won't find a letter praising putler or condemning the west.
Russians have been doing this with neo-nazi militia groups across ALL east European countries and some Balkan for a few years now. Even in Poland, the far right is in love with Kremlin and visit them on a regular basis, this is not news
Isn't the world lucky for this. Watch Elvira Bary on YouTube to get a sense of the historic challenges the Russian people and their colonies have endured for centuries.
Do they have to plan the attacks though? If they’re radicalized they’ll do it without being directly asked
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't orban's replacement to the right of him in many instances. Now let's carry it a bit further and say that the woke, weak Starmer is likely going away soon. There are other weak leaders of the so called European Union who are also likely to go. I would find it hard to believe that even the Euro's would replace one lefty,fruity, weak, beta male government with another. The right is far from dead. This be a little off topic but I believe that Trump is correct when chastising our so called allies as being feckless. They want us to do the heavy lifting militarily while they sit back and criticize everything about the US. Please give a listen to Victor Davis Hanson as he makes some excellent points about our great allies. I used to consider myself as an internationalist and a globalist, but I am not sure about those positions anymore. I have read your books and found them to be very informative,with predictions spot on. I do not understand how you can so upset with Trump as you more less predicted what was going to happen with the global order. Sorry for being so long winded.
Orban's replacement seems committed to small "d" democracy - as opposed to the corrupt rule of a small group of Orban friends and family. Trump supposes he is an "alpha" male. His stupid sycophants grovel at his inane utterances and constant contradictions. He's like Kim Jung Un and his Cabinet must slavishly stroke his ego. Meanwhile, he antagonizes our allies and sucks up to our enemies. He weakens the dollar and has given Iran more status and power than before he bombed it. OTOH, he did show the weaknesses in American supply chains and inventory.
@PeterZeihan What's the real scoop on the scientist that are dead or missing here in the states? Could this be part of that?
This is another problem that Ukraine can help Europe mitigate. I'm sure their SBU is well-versed in Soviet (KGB) methodology.
"Old tool from old days."? Both Vladimir Putin are old tools and these are new days.
The Russian Ministry of Marketing and Subtrefuge calls it Kremlin II: Eclectic Boogaloo
Or maybe the "Cruel Jerk!"
Average price of USA gallon of diesel is $5.67 today. In Australia and other countries, it's over $12. People tend only to watch gasoline prices, but diesel has much more significance to the economy and inflation. They say roughly that for every $1 price increase per diesel gallon, average monthly home expenses go up $80. It takes about 60-90 days for the effects to show. So it's a slow kill. Most everything is delivered to us using diesel. About 40% of trucks on the road are delivering food. Countries world wide are implementing diesel export bans, or soft bans, limiting exports, with more countries likely to follow. America is celebrating that tankers from around the world are importing the fuel from us. Oil companies, being global companies, and diesel being globally priced, are happily selling USA diesel to the highest bidder, and they are having a heyday. The USA customer doesn't get any break. In the meantime local supplies are starting to run low, this apparently may soon cause a huge price spike. Diesel is the one to watch...
So, hoard now? Or wait?
And the countervalent strategy is now underway in Minsk and St. Pete. Fafo, Vlad. Your security apparatchiks are all about stopping riots. Might want to avoid town squares and any tours of places you are unpopular.
I sadly think it’s much more than that Peter. Russians are also using criminal gangs and clans to target European countries. They shelter criminals that lead and organize drug sales, racketeering, extortion and even contract-killing. In Berlin it has gotten so bad certain local shops are targeted not just with guns but with hand grenades. It’s documented some of that crime money already funds Russia’s Ukraine war. I think Europe needs to wake up fast from its “we can fix every criminal with therapy” soft on crime approach to declare these groups as terrorists that operate hand in hand with Russia and eliminate them. Otherwise things will get far worse before it gets better. Tree hugging judges giving 2 years of luxury prison sentences to some gang member refugee that opened fire to 2 different super markets in Berlin with people inside, isn’t going to deter anyone. This weak punishment is on par with if you dont pay your TV tax in socialist Europe, are you kidding me?
Since the onset of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Russian agents have been implicated in a range of terroristic activities across Europe, including acts of sabotage, arson, and threats against individuals and infrastructure. There have been over 151 documented attacks linked to Russia since 2022. (This figure is likely an underestimate due to delayed investigations.) Highest reported activities have been in Poland (31 incidents), followed by France (20), Lithuania (15), Germany (15), the UK (12), and Estonia (11). The incidents involve explosions targeting rail networks (including Polish railway networks in Nov. 2025), sabotage of military logistics, multiple drone incursions disrupting military and airport facilities, cyberattacks, and assassinations. Investigations reveal that many operatives are "disposable agents" with no formal ties to Russian intelligence, complicating efforts to attribute responsibility. The Kremlin exploits criminal networks to facilitate operations. Russian intelligence has reportedly recruited various individuals, including former prisoners and economically vulnerable people, to carry out these tasks. This mirrors approaches seen in other terrorist organizations. Finally, Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall (which produces artillery ammunition and vehicles for Ukraine), was targeted in a thwarted assassination plot by Russian agents.
If MAGA wants to self-destruct and turn to violent acts of terrorism, I will enjoy watching them get crushed. I by no means look forward to this, because a lot of people will get hurt in the process. But there is perhaps a no more expedient way for a group to be expunged from power than to have it resort to violence against the populace.
Except they come with badges and 170 billion dollar Big Beautiful Bill budget, PLUS another 70 billion to 80 billion that will be pushed through reconciliation making it more funded than most militaries around the world. The percentage of MAGA loyalists that join is maybe even more than the military. I and others see them as a dual use force, for immigration, sure, for election intimidation, martial law, and a Trump personal army, not unlike the brown shirts and later the Schutzstaffel, and Gestapo. They are given glasses with cameras that use AI to identify faces and even gait among the carte Blanche weaponry and surveillance, and paramilitary equipment. Loyalists. Untrained mostly and goofy? Sure, but a force nonetheless.
Trump, Kim, Putin, the new axis of evil? Some would add Xi...
What effect will c media have on these efforts? We have already seen how active Russia has been with these pursuits
Do you see this hand involved in the agitations in American cities?
3 million Russians BUT! We are sort of doing Russia’s bidding, stopping material support, giving THEM intelligence, lifting sanctions, edging out of the door of NATO. And the ones here LOVE capitalism. I don’t see Putin and the FSB playing with that windfall for now. Terrorist activity might set off the mercurial nature of Trump, piss off MAGA, and lose the greatest gift horse they have EVER seen in their adversary. Soviet Russia would not have believed how good they would have it. Not in a million years.
Humans are disgusting disgraceful creatures.
I disagree. There are some psychopaths though.
Quick footnote - the guy killed 6 out on the street in broad daylight from point-blank range, then took a dozen hostage inside a supermarket, killing one more. After some 40 min of negotiations and no demands put forward, the store was breached and the perpetrator taken out. Details, motives and Ru connections still unclear. Allegedly, after a domestic dispute the terrorist set his own flat on fire and went on this killing spree.
I came across the process of radicalization by KGB/FSB, the victim won't know he is being recruited by the russian government, secondly, they demolish the victim morally for many months until read to end. So you won't find a letter praising putler or condemning the west.
“Cause a ruckus”? He killed a lot of people
Well, on the bright side, this will create a whole new Kalshi market!
The ethics of this is still out for debate. Seeing how people with power to make things happen can cash in on decisions. Like that account that got 8 out of 8 bets on Israeli decisions, made millions and then dipped out. That should be truly alarming, except the zone is so flooded, who can keep up on the corruption?
Ohhhh I saw this show! The Americans, right? How many drinks do you think Kash Patel needs before he finds his first cell?
Your jokes are too on the nose haha. Just recently, Andrew Hugg, identified in reports as a "Chief of Chemical Nuclear Surety" within the U.S. military, responsible for overseeing nuclear and chemical safety. The Incident: An undercover investigation by O'Keefe Media Group allegedly captured Hugg on hidden camera discussing sensitive information in a public restaurant. Alleged Disclosures: Hugg was recorded discussing how nuclear launch decisions are made in real-time and commenting on nuclear weapon usage. Additional Allegations: The footage also contained discussions about targeting a foreign leader and personal remarks to the undercover journalist, according to reports. Action Taken: Following the release of the footage, Hugg was escorted out of a building.
