Russia is suspected of orchestrating a sinister plot to plant incendiary devices on aircraft heading to the US and Canada, recent reports suggest. The alarming allegations emerged following incidents in July where several incendiary devices spontaneously combusted at DHL logistics centres in Leipzig, Germany, and Birmingham, UK.
These events triggered an extensive investigation to uncover the culprits behind the potentially lethal scheme. It’s believed that the devices were electric massagers packed with magnesium-based flammable materials, shipped to the UK via Lithuania.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the devices “appear to have been a test run to figure out how to get such incendiary devices aboard planes bound for North America.”
In response to the Birmingham incident, a DHL spokesperson previously informed The Mirror: “DHL Express Europe is taking risk mitigation actions to secure its network, staff and assets as well as customer shipments by implementing strengthened security measures across the European countries as a reaction to ongoing investigations by authorities from several countries.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed to The Mirror that counter-terrorism officers were probing the Birmingham event.
They said: “On Monday, July 22, a package at the location caught alight. It was dealt with by staff and the local fire brigade at the time and there were no reports of any injuries or significant damage caused.”
The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, with support from the West Midlands team, is spearheading an investigation into a series of incidents involving suspicious packages.
The spokesperson added: “Due to the circumstances, and the specialist capability and expertise in investigating such matters, the investigation is being led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command with support from colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands.
“The investigation remains ongoing and there have been no arrests in our investigation at this time. As part of our enquiries, officers are liaising with other European law enforcement partners to identify whether this may or may not be connected to any other similar-type incidents across Europe. As always, if anyone is concerned about any suspicious package or item, then they should report it immediately to police by calling 999.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the allegations when probed by the WSJ, stating: “We have never heard any official accusations.”
He went on to say: “These are traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media.”
Meanwhile, a US government official reassured CNN that “at this time, there is no current active threat targeting US-bound flights.”
Last month saw Polish authorities detain four individuals under suspicion of being involved in international sabotage and being a sabotage group.
Police officials are now hunting two additional suspects linked to these events.
A Polish official disclosed that the parcels contained “camouflaged explosives and dangerous materials” which were dispatched to the UK and EU nations, leading to spontaneous combustion or explosions during transit.