Lithuania Exposes Russia-Linked Explosive Arson Plot in Europe

Lithuanian prosecutors have exposed a sinister Russia-linked network accused of orchestrating arson attacks across Europe, smuggling explosive devices disguised as everyday items. The operation, allegedly directed by Russian secret services, involved sending highly flammable incendiary packages to EU countries and the UK, marking a bold escalation in hybrid warfare tactics.

According to the Prosecutor General's Office in Vilnius, the suspects—15 individuals from Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine—coordinated the plot to ignite fires using homemade devices hidden inside massage cushions and cosmetic tubes. These thermite-based explosives, equipped with timed detonators, were shipped via courier services like DHL and DPD. International arrest warrants have been issued for three suspects, though details on arrests remain undisclosed.

The scheme unraveled after a Lithuanian citizen mailed four packages on July 19, 2024. Two were destined for Britain via DHL cargo flights from Vilnius, while the others headed to Poland by DPD trucks. Chaos ensued: one package ignited at DHL's Leipzig logistics center during transfer, another exploded on July 21 in a DPD truck in Poland, and a third detonated on July 22 at a DHL warehouse in Birmingham, England. The fourth fizzled out due to a malfunction, averting potential disaster.

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Investigators revealed that Russian citizens tied to the GRU military intelligence service masterminded the operation. Over 30 searches in Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia uncovered additional incendiary devices, suggesting plans for more attacks. Thermite, a potent incendiary used in welding and warfare, powered the devices, capable of burning through metal and causing widespread fires.

This revelation aligns with broader European intelligence warnings of Russian sabotage amid the Ukraine conflict. Officials across the continent have flagged increased hybrid threats, including arson and infrastructure disruptions, as retaliation for Western support of Kyiv. The network's multinational makeup highlights the complexity of countering such transnational plots.

Lithuanian authorities are collaborating with international partners to dismantle the ring and prevent future incidents. As the investigation deepens, the case underscores the growing shadow of state-sponsored terrorism in Europe, prompting heightened vigilance against covert operations.

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