Mystery fires were Russian ‘test runs’ to target cargo flights to US
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A series of suspicious fires in parcels intended for cargo flights to the United States and Canada are now being investigated as possible sabotage attempts orchestrated by Russian intelligence, according to Polish authorities. These fires, which occurred across Poland, Germany, and the UK, were reportedly “test runs” aimed at disrupting international air freight.
Katarzyna Calow-Jaszewska, a prosecutor in Poland, confirmed the arrest of four individuals and stated that authorities from several European countries were examining the incidents, which appear to be linked. The fires, which occurred on multiple occasions in July, involved parcels containing incendiary devices or explosives.
On three separate days in July, fires broke out in containers meant for loading onto DHL cargo planes at Leipzig Airport in Germany. Another fire was reported at a transport company near Warsaw, Poland, and a similar incident occurred in Minworth, near Birmingham, UK. The Minworth fire was reportedly caused by a package that ignited unexpectedly, though UK authorities have provided little detail about the incident.
Ken McCallum, head of MI5, the UK’s domestic intelligence agency, suggested that the attacks were part of a broader campaign by Russian operatives in retaliation for the UK’s support of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. McCallum described these acts as “arson, sabotage, and more dangerous actions conducted with increasing recklessness.” He emphasized the growing threat posed by these kinds of covert operations.
The fire at Leipzig’s DHL logistics hub was particularly concerning. According to Thomas Haldenwang, head of Germany’s domestic intelligence service (BfV), the device that ignited on the plane’s cargo was only prevented from causing a catastrophic event by sheer luck. The device, which was sent from Lithuania, was found to contain a magnesium-based substance, known for its difficulty to extinguish, especially when ignited in flight.
Magnesium-based fires, when triggered in flight, pose a severe hazard, as the high temperatures and flammable nature of the material can cause significant damage to the aircraft. The fire in Warsaw reportedly took over two hours to extinguish, highlighting the difficulty of managing such incidents in a confined space like a plane’s cargo hold.
Polish authorities have indicated that the incidents were not random but part of a calculated campaign by foreign saboteurs. The parcels, which were shipped through courier networks, are believed to have been sent with the intent to test the logistics channels that could later be used to send dangerous items to the U.S. and Canada. These attacks could be seen as an attempt to assess vulnerabilities in the global air cargo system.
Western intelligence agencies are increasingly confident that Russia’s GRU (Military Intelligence Directorate) is behind the attacks. The parcels, disguised as electric massage machines, contained explosives or dangerous materials designed to spontaneously combust or detonate. The fact that these attacks targeted air freight services, with the aim of disrupting cargo flights between Europe and North America, points to a sophisticated strategy of sabotage.
While Russia has denied any involvement in these incidents, the pattern of attacks fits into a broader series of covert operations linked to Russian hybrid warfare tactics. Earlier this year, Russia was suspected of being behind similar sabotage attacks on warehouses and rail networks across the European Union, including in Sweden and the Czech Republic.
In response to these threats, DHL has significantly boosted security across its network. The logistics company announced enhanced measures to protect its facilities, employees, and shipments, specifically focusing on freight routes in Europe. DHL has also worked closely with European authorities to ensure tighter controls on parcels sent via courier services.
The Polish government has also reacted strongly to the sabotage campaign. Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski declared that Poland would close the Russian consulate in Poznań and warned that further attacks could result in the expulsion of Russia’s ambassador. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the move, calling it a “hostile step” and vowing a “painful response” to any further escalations.
These mysterious parcel fires underscore the growing threat of hybrid warfare tactics and highlight the vulnerabilities in international air cargo operations. As authorities continue to investigate the scale and intent behind these incidents, the risk of further disruptions to global supply chains remains a pressing concern.
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