Lithuanian Prosecutors Uncover Russia-Linked Arson Attack Plot

Lithuanian prosecutors have revealed a network of suspects allegedly linked to Russia that planned and organized arson attacks across Europe. The prosecutor general’s office in Vilnius disclosed this information on Wednesday, detailing a series of incidents involving homemade explosive devices sent to various countries within the European Union and the United Kingdom.

According to the statement, the suspects are believed to have dispatched packages containing incendiary devices disguised within massage cushions and tubes of cosmetics. These devices were reportedly sent via courier services on behalf of the Russian secret service. A total of 15 individuals, including citizens from Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine, are under investigation for their roles in these alleged attacks.

International arrest warrants have been issued for three of the suspects, although the authorities did not specify how many individuals have been apprehended thus far. European security officials have previously claimed that Russian intelligence has engaged in acts of sabotage in response to the support provided to Ukraine by several nations.

The investigation indicates that the packages were mailed by a Lithuanian citizen on July 19, 2024. Two shipments were routed from Vilnius to the United Kingdom via DHL cargo planes, while another two were sent to Poland using DPD trucks. One of the packages ignited at a DHL logistics center in Leipzig, where it was scheduled to be transferred to its final destination.

As the investigation progressed, authorities discovered that one package detonated on July 21 in a DPD truck traversing Poland. A subsequent explosion occurred on July 22 in a DHL warehouse located in Birmingham, England. The fourth package failed to detonate due to a technical malfunction.

Lithuanian authorities have not disclosed the number of arrests made in their own country or others involved in the investigation. They stated that the operations were coordinated by Russian nationals with ties to the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service. In total, over 30 searches were conducted across Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia, leading to the discovery of additional incendiary devices.

Authorities suspect these devices were intended for further planned attacks. Investigators found that the packages contained thermite, a highly flammable substance commonly used in industrial and military applications. The ongoing investigation underscores the serious implications of the alleged Russian involvement in sabotage activities across Europe, raising concerns about the security of EU nations amid escalating geopolitical tensions.