A previously unreported, elite Russian intelligence unit has apparently been working to destabilize Europe

Western security officials have learned of a previously unreported Russian intelligence unit that has attempted to create chaos on the European continent over the last few years, The New York Times reports.

Unit 29155 has reportedly been active for at least a decade and is believed to have been behind a destabilization campaign in Moldova, a poisoning in Bulgaria, a thwarted coup in Montenegro, and an attempt to assassinate a former Russian spy with a nerve in agent in United Kingdom last year. Authorities suspected that Russian intelligence may have been behind the events, the Times reports, but they were seemingly isolated incidents. Now, it turns out security officials have concluded all four incidents were part of a singular campaign coordinated by Unit 29155.

Not much is known about the unit — in fact, the Times reports that its existence is probably unknown even to other Russian intelligence operatives. But Western intelligence agencies are reportedly beginning to get a clearer understanding of how it operates, and that it appears to play a crucial role in Moscow's attempts to combat the liberal world order.

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A retired Russian intelligence officer with knowledge of Unit 29155 said it specialized in "diversionary" missions and was basically up for anything, including bombings and murders. The retired officer also confirmed the authenticity of photographs showing the unit's now-rundown former headquarters, which apparently contained gun racks for a host of weapons.

The group is reportedly considered elite, but it apparently relies on a small budget, and European officials say they've actually been pretty sloppy; the aforementioned coup and assassination attempts failed, for example. Of course, security officials say it's possible they just aren't aware of more successful missions yet. Read more at The New York Times.