A series of mystery parcel fires have hit European couriers, particularly those in the countries of Germany, Poland, and the UK, but authorities have an idea of who's behind the operation.
The fires are currently thought to be a coordinated campaign set by Russian operatives with one chaotic goal in mind.
According to BBC, the alleged aim was to disrupt the cargo flights to the United States and Canada, per Polish prosecutors. They also added that these were deliberate acts or intended as 'dry runs' for more serious sabotage in the near future.
The cause of fires has been traced back to parcels containing hidden incendiary devices, such as a simple electric massage filled with a magnesium-based substance that can be difficult to extinguish while on air.
How Russia Use Parcel Fire for Air Sabotage
To be specific, the BBC report highlighted that these operations not only assess the security measures in place but also gather intelligence on how easily such parcels can be transferred internationally. Security officials reported that these were linked to Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRY.
In a report by Sky News, it was found that a similar case happened in Leipzig, Germany, where a parcel loaded onto a DHL cargo plane caught fire, which almost resulted in a catastrophic event in mid-air.
DHL, and other European courier companies, are now ramping up their security measures to protect their customers, employees, and networks. This means increased screening protocols for cargo and vigilance at shipping hubs. Meanwhile, Polish authorities closed a Russian consulate in Poznań and threatened to expel the country's ambassador should the attacks continue.
Russia has denied their involvement with the parcel fires, although their previous linked incidents were already targeting critical infrastructure in European countries.
Intelligence agencies and the European courier industry are now on high alert for any possible disruptions.
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