Russia has emerged as the prime suspect behind a series of recent fires in packages bound for North America.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing European intelligence sources, that sophisticated incendiary devices were found inside packages that caught fire. The packages, which contained electric massagers, were equipped with magnesium-based ignition devices, raising suspicions of involvement by Russian intelligence agencies.
Investigations revealed the packages originated in Lithuania before igniting at DHL logistics centers in Leipzig, Germany, and Birmingham, England.
The packages were headed for the United States and Canada. Investigators warned that had the fires ignited mid-flight, the resulting blaze could have overwhelmed the aircraft’s fire suppression systems.
A fire of this magnitude would typically necessitate an emergency landing. However, if the fire had occurred over the open ocean, far from land, the consequences could have been catastrophic.
Lithuanian authorities have arrested suspects in the capital, Vilnius, who are believed responsible for sending the packages. One suspect is reportedly linked to Russian intelligence.
Polish authorities have also arrested four individuals in connection with the incidents, charging them with terrorism-related offenses. Polish officials work closely with other European law enforcement agencies to track additional suspects. A source close to the investigation noted, “The suspects appear to have been testing potential routes for sending these devices to North America.”
European intelligence agencies suspect Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) is behind these incidents. This comes after a July 22 fire at a DHL warehouse in Birmingham, which British counter-terrorism authorities are investigating for possible links to Russia. In a separate incident earlier in July, U.S. intelligence agencies foiled a Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, a German arms manufacturer supplying weapons to Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has dismissed the allegations of Russian involvement in the package fires as “baseless slander.”