The Suspected Russian Plot to Set Airplanes on Fire
Dec 13, 2024
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Bojan Pancevski, a seasoned WSJ reporter, dives into a chilling investigation of a suspected Russian plot to ignite airliners, revealing tactics reminiscent of the Cold War. He discusses Russia's recent escalations across Europe, including modus operandi to recruit civilians for chaos. Pancevski uncovers dangerous incendiary devices found in everyday items, prompting a global security reevaluation. The conversation also touches on how Europe is adapting to confront these mounting threats amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Recent coordinated attacks linked to Russia highlight an alarming shift from traditional espionage to overt actions aimed at destabilizing Europe.
The discovery of incendiary devices in DHL packages reveals serious vulnerabilities in air freight security, necessitating increased measures to prevent potential disasters.
Deep dives
Escalating Russian Operations
Recent investigations reveal a concerning pattern of coordinated attacks linked to Russian operations across Europe, including sabotage of infrastructure and widespread vandalism. Reports indicate that a series of incidents, such as the damaging of internet cables and railway systems, are perceived to be interrelated and potentially orchestrated by Russian intelligence. Evidence from Western intelligence, including signal intelligence, suggests that these efforts are aimed at creating chaos and undermining support for Ukraine among European nations. The attacks often involve civilian recruits, including refugees who, unaware of their connections to Russian espionage, are used for such activities.
The DHL Incident
One particularly alarming episode involved incendiary devices hidden in massager packages at DHL warehouses in Germany and the UK, which resulted in fires related to air freight. Investigators discovered that these devices, made with magnesium, could burn at extremely high temperatures and were undetectable by standard airport security measures. The potential danger posed to commercial airliners was underscored by findings indicating that an explosion in the cargo hold over the ocean could jeopardize the aircraft. This incident led to increased security protocols within logistics companies and prompted a multinational investigation into potential Russian involvement.
Geopolitical Threat Landscape
The current state of aggression from Russia marks a significant departure from traditional espionage tactics, aligning with the increased tensions from the ongoing war in Ukraine. As European intelligence agencies become more vocal, there is a growing acknowledgment of the existential threat posed by Russian activities, which are no longer confined to covert operations but extend to blatant attempts at causing public unrest. The situation necessitates a deeper response from Western nations as they confront these destabilizing actions, but there remains a tension between maintaining democratic ideals and addressing the outright aggression from Russia. Without a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine or a decisive stance by Western powers, the likelihood of further escalations remains high.
Since the war in Ukraine began, strange attacks have been happening across Europe, including a plot to set DHL packages on fire. WSJ’s Bojan Pancevski on Russia’s escalating shadow war in Europe.