Russia suspected of organizing fire at UK warehouse using device on plane - Guardian

As a result of the fire, there were no casualties in the summer. The warehouse near Minworth is responsible for processing parcels for delivery.

It is believed that the dangerous package arrived at the DHL warehouse by air, according to The Guardian. However, it remains unclear whether it arrived on a cargo or passenger plane, as well as its intended destination.

It is noted that if the package with the incendiary device had ignited during the flight, it could have led to serious consequences.

As The Guardian reminds us, a similar incident occurred in late July in Germany, when a suspicious package destined for a flight caught fire at another DHL facility in Leipzig. Investigators are looking for connections between these cases.

This week, German authorities warned that if the package had ignited in the air, it could have led to an aviation disaster and the crash of an aircraft. Specifically, this was stated on Monday by Thomas Haldenwang, the head of Germany’s domestic intelligence service, to members of the Bundestag.

Meanwhile, news of the incident in Birmingham became public only after joint inquiries by The Guardian and German broadcasters WDR and NDR. Media representatives are questioning why the authorities did not disclose this information earlier.

In the UK, a Metropolitan police counter-terrorism spokesperson stated that they can confirm officers are investigating the incident at a commercial premises in Midpoint Way (a suburb of Minworth).

British investigators suspect that the incendiary device is part of a broader campaign being conducted by Russian spies across Europe this year, according to The Guardian.

Leaders of intelligence agencies in the UK and other countries have condemned this alleged attack as reckless and irresponsible.

Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, warned last week that Russian military intelligence (GRU) appears to be engaged in a sustained mission to generate mayhem on British and European streets: "We’ve seen arson, sabotage, and more."

The British spy chief accused Russia of participating in dangerous actions conducted with increasing recklessness. He claimed that this operation has been counterproductive for the Kremlin, as it was driving increased operational coordination with partners across Europe and beyond.

Media sources suggest that the motivation behind Russia's actions is likely an attempt to inflict damage on Ukraine's Western allies. Meanwhile, such operations can sometimes be precise but may also be poorly coordinated and amateurish at other times.

Fires at warehouses and sabotage in Europe

A warehouse in east London belonging to a company linked to Ukraine caught fire in a suspected arson attack in March. The fire incident was attributed to an alleged arson. Following this, seven individuals were charged in connection with the incident, which is believed to be linked to Russian sabotage.

A shopping center in Warsaw was destroyed by a fire in May. After the incident, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that it was quite likely that the blaze was caused by operatives from Russia’s intelligence services.

Meanwhile, the most serious plot uncovered was an attempt to assassinate Armin Papperger, the chief executive of the German arms maker Rheinmetall. In July, it was reported that US intelligence services had foiled Russian plans to murder him.

Details of the fire incident at the DHL warehouse

Met counter-terrorism police are leading the Birmingham investigation with support from specialist officers from the West Midlands, and are comparing notes with investigators around Europe.

Last month, DHL stated that the package that caught fire in Germany had been sent from Lithuania. The company also announced that it has strengthened its security protocols and procedures in line with advice from European authorities.

According to the German newspaper Tagesspiegel, the incendiary device ignited in Leipzig while it was being prepared for loading onto a cargo plane. The flight was delayed. Had the plane taken off on time, it could have exploded in the air.

Meanwhile, no arrests have been made in relation to the Birmingham fire, and British police continue their investigation.

In May, a fire occurred at the Diehl warehouse in Berlin. At that time, the German side stated that the fire incident did not threaten the production pace of surface-to-air missile systems.

Later, it was revealed that the German company Diehl Metal Applications did not rule out the possibility of Russian sabotage in this incident.