European judicial authorities have revealed a sophisticated cross-border sabotage operation allegedly orchestrated by Russia’s military intelligence service. The coordinated investigation, spearheaded by Eurojust, has identified 22 individuals suspected of deploying incendiary parcels across multiple European nations and the United Kingdom.
The plot unfolded in July 2024 when several parcels containing concealed explosive devices were dispatched from Lithuania. These packages, cleverly disguised with electronic timers hidden within vibrating massage pillows, spontaneously ignited at various locations including a DHL distribution center near Birmingham, United Kingdom, and a sorting facility at Leipzig Airport in Germany.
According to investigative findings, the operation extended beyond immediate European targets. Authorities discovered two test packages previously sent to destinations in the United States and Canada, with additional intercepted parcels in Amsterdam intended for similar transatlantic routes. Polish prosecutors characterized these incidents as tactical dry runs designed to potentially sabotage commercial flights to North American destinations.
The suspected operatives, reportedly recruited from Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Ukraine, were allegedly selected based on their vulnerable socioeconomic circumstances. European officials indicate that two cases have already progressed to judicial proceedings, though Russia has consistently denied involvement in sabotage operations against NATO member states.