The General Prosecutor’s Office and the Lithuanian Bureau of Criminal Police believe that the attempts to set fire to the infrastructure and products of UAB TVC Solutions were carried out under the instruction of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (the former GRU).

Data from the pre-trial investigation conducted in Lithuania indicate with a high degree of probability that the sabotage attempts in Šiauliai were carried out under the direction and in the interests of the Russian GRU

– Joint statement by the General Prosecutor’s Office and the Lithuanian Bureau of Criminal Police

The UAB TVC Solutions company, based in Šiauliai, is engaged in the production of mobile radio-frequency spectrum analysis stations for the needs of the Ukrainian army.

According to investigators, on the night of September 17, 2024, two Spanish citizens attempted to set fire to the company’s products, but failed to achieve their goal due to passersby. They left the country and headed to Latvia, where they were detained by security forces.

On September 22 of the same year at the same location, two men (Belarusian and Russian nationals who had arrived from Spain) attempted to carry out a second arson. They believed that the arson had already succeeded, so they left the scene. However, according to the prosecutor’s office and the police, no damage to the company was caused.

After the second arson attempt, a Cuban national arrived in Šiauliai from Russia, who was presumably to assess the damage caused to the company. He planned to leave Lithuania, but was detained by Lithuanian police.

In Spain, a Colombian citizen was detained and brought to Lithuania, who, according to the investigation, acted as an intermediary and financed the group.

The group members, as claimed, had thoroughly prepared for the sabotage and arrived in Lithuania several weeks before the first attempt.

All six suspects are in custody in Lithuania; the case has been referred to the court. Investigations into four more suspects are ongoing. One of them was arrested in Colombia, extradition proceedings to Lithuania are ongoing. Three individuals have been issued an international arrest warrant.

Current status of the investigation

Law enforcement authorities continue to gather evidence and coordinate with international partners to complete court proceedings against all suspects and determine the roles of each participant in the criminal group.