There is little doubt that Russian intelligence operatives were behind a cunning yet flawed plan to place incendiary devices in packages scheduled to be carried on cargo aircraft heading to North America.
Polland said last month it has arrested four people suspected to be linked to a foreign intelligence operation that carried out sabotage and is searching for two others
Lithuania’s prosecutor general Nida Grunskiene said Tuesday there were an unspecified number of people detained in several countries, no further elaboration was forthcoming.
The ABW - Poland’s Internal Security Agency, advised that incidents in Poland, along with incidents in other EU and NATO member nations, had rapidly increased in 2024. The ABW advises that these incidents have been initiated and coordinated by the Russian special services.
Approximately, 20 people have thus far been charged in investigations led by Poland's prosecutor’s office, the ABW and police.
Western security officials are seeing an intensification of a hybrid war of sabotage by Russia targeting Ukraine’s allies, including election disinformation along with arson attacks in Europe in 2024, which they believe is the work of Russia's GRU.
Packages bound for DHL flights in July were a key part of the plan, one such package caught fire at a courier hub in Germany. One at a transport firm in Warsaw caused a major fire and another ignited in a warehouse near Birmingham. Plus there have been attacks on warehouses and railway networks in Sweden, the Czech Republic and other locations.
Poland's Prosecutor Katarzyna Calow-Jaszewska said a group of foreign intelligence saboteurs had been involved in sending parcels containing hidden explosives and dangerous materials via courier companies. The parcels then spontaneously burst into flames or blew up. It is believed these devices were in electric massage machines containing a "magnesium-based" substance. Magnesium-based fires are notoriously difficult to put out, especially on board a plane. The fire in Warsaw took over two hours to put out.
“The group’s goal was also to test the transfer channel for such parcels, which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada,” Ms Calow-Jaszewska said.
A spokesperson for London's Metropolitan Police advised that a counter-terrorism investigation was underway after a package at a commercial premises caught alight, which "was dealt with by staff and the local fire brigade".
Ken McCallum, the current head of MI5 used his annual address to advise the Russian intelligence agency was on a mission to generate "sustained mayhem on British and European streets".
McCallum said GRU agents had carried out "arson, sabotage and more dangerous actions conducted with increasing recklessness" in Britain after the UK backed Ukraine in its war with Russia.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration - TSA confirmed it had put in place extra security measures in recent months for certain cargo shipments. "We continually adjust our security posture as appropriate and promptly share any and all relevant information with our industry partners, to include requirements and recommendations that help them reduce risk,"
Transport company DHL said security had been increased, "DHL Express has taken measures in all European countries to protect its network, its employees and facilities, as well as its customers' shipments,".
Currently, there are an estimated 18 to 25 active operatives working for either the GRU or FSB in the UK (as of Friday last week), including those entering the country under Bulgarian passports. There are 43 Russian agents currently active in the US today, mostly in Washington and Florida, according to security analysts who follow the digital and physical trails of various operatives of foreign 'unfriendly' nations. The Israeli Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations - better known as Mossad has 30 katsa intelligence officers in the UK and over 180 in the US.
