Explosive incidents at DHL hubs spark urgent investigations
In a major security development, intelligence agencies have uncovered a plot involving covert Russian operatives attempting to set fire to airplanes bound for the United States. This revelation follows two incendiary blasts at DHL logistic centers in Leipzig, Germany, and Birmingham, England, sparking an international investigation to track down those behind the scheme.
Modified devices hint at broader sabotage attempts
Authorities have identified that the devices used were ordinary electric massagers modified with a magnesium-based combustible material. These findings suggest that the incidents were trials to test the viability of smuggling such fire-starting equipment onto flights. European security and intelligence agencies are now linking these events to a larger Russian plan targeting US and Canadian air traffic.
The Polish National Prosecutor’s Office has already detained four individuals suspected of carrying out these acts of sabotage on behalf of a foreign spy service. As reported by The Washington Post, Polish officials are collaborating with international partners to locate at least two additional suspects. “The group’s goal was to test the transfer channel for such parcels, ultimately destined for North America,” stated the prosecutor’s office.
Intelligence officials directly implicate Russian operatives
Pawel Szota, the head of Poland’s foreign intelligence agency, pointed to Russian involvement, emphasizing the catastrophic consequences if an attack had succeeded. “I’m not sure the political leaders of Russia are aware of the consequences if one of these packages exploded, causing a mass casualty event,” Szota stated.
Western intelligence officials, including voices from MI5 and MI6, have echoed these sentiments. MI6 chief Richard Moore noted in September that Russian intelligence operations had “gone a bit feral,” exhibiting increasingly reckless behavior. Meanwhile, Ken McCallum, MI5’s chief, warned last month about Russia’s involvement in arson and sabotage across Europe.
Kremlin denies involvement
The Kremlin has denied any connection to the incidents. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the allegations as baseless, saying, “We have never heard any official accusations,” and described the reports as “traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media.”
The July incidents have raised significant alarms. German investigators who analyzed replicas of the devices indicated that the use of magnesium, known for its intense and difficult-to-extinguish flames, could force pilots into emergency landings, posing grave risks during flights, particularly over long stretches of open ocean.
DHL, a global logistics giant based in Germany, confirmed its involvement in the ongoing investigations. A company spokesperson acknowledged that incendiary devices were found on its cargo planes in July and assured that they are actively cooperating with authorities to ensure safety and prevent further incidents.
Growing concerns over Russia’s actions
This plot is part of a broader pattern of sabotage attributed to Russian agents, affecting critical infrastructure across Europe, including pipelines, data lines, and water supplies. In an earlier warning, US officials informed Germany of possible Russian plans targeting the CEO of Rheinmetall, a key defense contractor aiding Ukraine.
The potential escalation signaled by these plots has left intelligence experts contemplating whether these actions reflect coordinated Russian military efforts or rogue initiatives by factions within its intelligence services. With heightened alertness, Western security forces continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for vigilance in preventing future incidents.