UK authorities apprehended a Romanian individual suspected of setting fire to a DHL warehouse, allegedly on behalf of Russia.
In the summer of 2024, a series of suspicious incidents shook Europe, with a taboo topic taking center stage — incendiary devices disguised in everyday items like adult toys and counterfeit cosmetics, often delivered via mail. One such event took place in a DHL warehouse in Birmingham, south-central England, causing a minor fire but no injuries or significant damage.
The fire was linked to a package that had arrived by air, though the specifics, such as whether it was a cargo or passenger plane, and its intended destination, remained unclear. British counter-terrorism police were quick to identify the cause, attributing it to suspected Russian espionage.
In early March 2025, a Romanian man was arrested on suspicion of aiding a foreign intelligence service under the National Security Act 2023. He was apprehended at Stansted airport upon his arrival on an inbound flight. Investigators suspect that this arrest is connected to the wider campaign of Russian spy activities across Europe.
Another incident mirroring the Birmingham case occurred in Germany in late July 2024. A package bound for a flight caught fire at a DHL warehouse in Leipzig. Alexander Bezrukavyi, a Russian national, was later extradited to Poland for allegedly assisting in the logistics of this coordinated campaign.
As the Poland-led investigation into these parcel attacks continues, European security agencies are working tirelessly to uncover any potential links to Russian state actors. While no direct connection to recent Ukraine battlefield tactics has been confirmed, it's clear that Russia's hybrid operations are becoming increasingly worrying. Keep an eye on our site for more updates on this developing story.
(Photo source: Flynt | Dreamstime.com)
- The incendiary device discovered in the DHL warehouse in Birmingham, UK, in the summer of 2024, mirrors a similar incident in Germany in late July, suggesting a coordinated campaign.
- The specific aircraft involved in the incident in Birmingham was not confirmed, but a package bound for a flight caught fire at a DHL warehouse in Leipzig, Germany, indicating involvement of air cargo.
- The 2025 arrest of a Romanian man under the National Security Act 2023 for aiding a foreign intelligence service is suspected to be connected to the wider campaign of Russian spy activities in Europe, similar to the incidents in 2024.
- As Russia's accused involvement in the parcel attacks in Europe continues to unfold, these events are a reflection of the broader concern about Russia's hybrid operations in war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice spheres.
