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On July 20, 2024, an explosion occurred in a container at Leipzig Airport, where a package detonated. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The fire response lasted several hours, and the package was meant to be on a flight to London but had been delayed, leading to its catastrophic explosion on the ground instead of mid-air. Just one day later, a similar incident transpired near Warsaw, Poland, when another package caught fire on the property of a transportation company, again without causing injuries. A third package ignited at a DHL facility near Birmingham, with no casualties reported. Europe narrowly avoided a potential disaster.
In the aftermath, security agencies quickly suspected Russian sabotage. Investigations led by WDR, NDR, and the Süddeutsche Zeitung have corroborated these initial suspicions, revealing new information in a recent documentary aired by ARD, indicating that the Russian military intelligence agency GRU orchestrated this international operation. Several high-ranking GRU officials have been linked to the sabotage plans.
Images of the Leipzig explosive device have recently been made public, highlighting the serious threat posed if the fire had ignited in the aircraft's cargo hold. Experts assert that agents working on behalf of President Vladimir Putin are operating across Europe.
The incidents appear to be just the beginning of a larger pattern, with authorities suspecting Russia of being behind numerous similar occurrences. The Russian intelligence network, which extends into Germany, is characterized as a convoluted web of agents. Through intermediaries, information from the GRU is disseminated, primarily via the messaging platform Telegram, which is also used for recruitment. Analysts describe these individuals as "disposable agents," meaning they are not official intelligence operatives but are tasked with executing the GRU's clandestine operations.
In the case of the packages, an unidentified individual reportedly assembled several parcels containing massage pillows and sex toys during the summer of 2024. Each item concealed an explosive device equipped with a timer. These packages were transported across Europe by accomplices, moving through Warsaw and into Lithuania. In Vilnius, they were activated in a hotel room before being sent through a DHL facility to board various aircraft. It is believed that ten individuals were involved in this operation, with several already arrested in Lithuania, Poland, England, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Many of those apprehended reportedly lacked complete knowledge of the operation's scope.
So what objectives might Russia pursue through such tactics in Germany? Bruno Kahl, the head of the Federal Intelligence Service, suggests that these actions serve as a show of power. Furthermore, he posits that they aim to instill societal and political insecurity, thereby undermining support for Ukraine.
In response to inquiries, the Russian embassy in Berlin denied any involvement in the incidents, labeling the allegations as "paranoia" and "conspiracy theories." James Appathurai, a NATO official responsible for countering hybrid threats, summarized the incidents' severity, stating, "An aircraft can catch fire and endanger everyone on board. It could crash into residential areas, causing civilian casualties. This is precisely why we view these actions as escalating." A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of the Interior indicated that investigations are ongoing, affirming an increase in risks associated with sabotage or preparatory actions by Russian entities since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine.
The documentary titled "Sabotage: Germany in Putin's Crosshairs" aired on April 23, 2025, at 10:50 PM on ARD and is now available for streaming on the ARD Mediathek.
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