Parcel blasts in Europe – suspected Russian sabotage

European police agencies have identified 22 individuals suspected of involvement in a series of parcel bombings across Europe in 2024. According to investigators, they may have been acting on behalf of Russia’s GRU military intelligence service. The information was reported by Eurojust.

The parcels exploded in courier warehouses in Britain, Germany and Poland. Security authorities believe the incidents were part of a test of a plan to cause explosions on cargo flights bound for the United States.

A joint investigation by German, Polish, Dutch, British and Lithuanian authorities found that the suspects were mainly active in Lithuania and Poland. According to Eurojust, they were recruited from Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Ukraine, often coming from socially vulnerable backgrounds.

The Lithuanian prosecutor’s office said that five suspects – citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Lithuania – will face terrorism charges. If convicted, they could face up to ten years in prison.

Investigators said that in July 2024 packages containing improvised explosive devices were sent from Vilnius. One ignited at Leipzig Airport shortly before being loaded onto a plane, another exploded at a DHL warehouse in Birmingham and a third during transport in Poland. Moscow rejects the accusations and denies involvement in sabotage operations in Europe.

(reuters, max)