Russian military intelligence officers led members of a far-right organization based in Russia to recently send a series of intercepted letters to Spain, the most notorious targets of which were the prime minister, defense minister, other officials and foreign diplomats.

This is the conclusion reached by US and European officials, according to a revealing New York Times report citing US government sources.

Spanish and foreign investigators are investigating who sent six letter bombs in late November and early December mainly to Madrid, including the official residence of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, which also serves as his office, the US and Ukrainian embassies and the Ministry of Defense. No one was killed in the attacks, which US officials describe as terrorism. When one of the packages exploded, only one employee of the Ukrainian embassy was injured.

In recent weeks, investigators have focused on the Russian Imperial Movement, a radical group with members and allies across Europe, and military-style training centers in St. Petersburg, officials said.

They added that the group, designated by the State Department as a global terrorist organization, is believed to have ties to Russian intelligence. Important members of the organization were in Spain, and the local police traced their links to far-right Spanish organizations.

The apparent purpose of the action was to show that Russia and its proxies are capable of carrying out terrorist attacks across Europe, including in the capitals of NATO member countries, which helps protect Ukraine from a Russian invasion, US officials said. who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity involved in the investigation.

As a member of the alliance, Spain provided Ukraine with military and humanitarian assistance, as well as diplomatic support.

One letter bomb was sent to Instalaza, a Zaragoza-based arms company that makes grenade launchers that Spain is donating to Ukraine, and the other to the Torrejon de Ardot air base near Madrid.

The Russian officers allegedly behind the explosive letter campaign are working for the Central Directorate, commonly referred to as the GRU, one of Moscow’s most aggressive secret services, US officials say.

According to a senior US official, Spanish investigators have identified “persons of interest” who they believe are involved in the attacks.