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\n Russian intelligence is suspected of being behind several “self igniting” air freight fires around Europe, including one in Birmingham.\n <\/p>\n
Met Police said an investigation involving multiple countries was ongoing after “several fires involving cargo”.<\/p>\n
The fire at a DHL depot in Birmingham in July 2024<\/strong> has been linked to other incidents around the continent.<\/p>\n A 38-year-old Romanian national was arrested in the UK last year on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence agency. He was released but remains under investigation.<\/p>\n Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said Russian military intelligence is believed to be responsible.<\/p>\n Four parcels were sent from Lithuania to addresses in the United Kingdom and Poland in July 2024, a joint statement from European investigators revealed.<\/p>\n One caught fire in transit at Leipzig airport, another exploded inside a truck in Poland, one was seized intact, and the other was the Birmingham incident.<\/p>\n “Test packages” were also sent to the US and Canada, while two more parcels bound for North America were intercepted in Amsterdam.<\/p>\n 22 suspects have now been identified in Lithuania and Poland suspected of working on behalf of Russian military-intelligence, according to Eurojust, the judicial arm of the EU.<\/p>\n The agency said the alleged perpetrators were recruited and given instructions through an online messaging service.<\/p>\n Investigators said tasks were divided among several suspects, who were often rewarded with cryptocurrency payments.<\/p>\n They came from various Slavic and Baltic nations and were “often in a vulnerable socio-economic situation”, according to Eurojust.<\/p>\n DAC Evans said: “The strength of cooperation in this case has led us to collectively identify what we believe to be Russian military intelligence involvement in a series of incidents across Europe.<\/p>\n “Our investigation is ongoing, and we continue to liaise closely with partners to ensure we’re doing all we can to keep the sector, and the public safe.<\/p>\n “We have been clear and open about the increasing levels of demand we’re seeing relating to the activity of foreign states here in the UK.”<\/p>\n This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.<\/p>\n Please refresh the page for the fullest version.<\/p>\n
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