Russian intelligence agencies are reportedly behind a series of insidious parcel bombings across Europe, according to a Reuters investigation.
The covert attacks, aimed at destabilizing Western support for Ukraine, allegedly involve Ukrainian nationals recruited by the Kremlin.
Last summer, three parcels detonated at courier warehouses in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland. A fourth package, which failed to detonate, was found at a warehouse in Warsaw.
The bombings, part of a broader campaign of sabotage, reveal the disturbing lengths to which Russia’s GRU (military intelligence) is willing to go in its hybrid warfare strategy.
“The pillows, packed into the parcels with the cosmetics and sex toys, contained hidden homemade incendiary devices made of a cocktail of chemicals including highly reactive magnesium,” the report says.
The devices hidden in seemingly innocuous parcels that contain pillows, cosmetics, and sex toys, included incendiary devices made from highly reactive chemicals such as magnesium.
They were triggered by timer-detonators crafted from cheap Chinese electronic gadgets typically used to track lost items.
The explosions were further amplified by tubes disguised as cosmetic products but filled with a flammable gel, including nitromethane.
“The proceedings in this case concern criminal activities inspired by Russia’s GRU,” one source told Reuters.
Investigators believe these attacks are part of a test run for a much larger sabotage campaign that would target cargo shipments designated for the United States and Canada.
At least five suspects are under investigation, allegedly part of a Kremlin-backed sabotage cell.
One of them, Ukrainian national Vladyslav Derkavets, told investigators he received instructions via the messaging Telegram platform from a man using the alias of “Warrior.”
He then travelled to Lithuania, where he assembled four parcels containing cosmetics, sex toys, and homemade timed explosives.
In Vilnius, he delivered the packages to another man who used the code word of “Mary.”
Derkavets was arrested in August 2024 on suspicion of terrorism on behalf of Russian intelligence. He denies the charges.
Another suspect, 44-year-old Russian citizen Alexander Bezrukavyi, is accused of planning to send explosive parcels to the U.S. and Canada disguised as packages containing clothing and shoes.
He also denies any involvement.
“European security chiefs made the parcel fires public in October, describing them as part of a ‘hybrid war’ being waged by Russia to destabilize the functioning of countries that support Ukraine, involving tactics like arson and cyberattacks,” the text reads.
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