Three Ukrainians have been arrested over a plot to mail exploding parcels from Germany to Ukraine, prosecutors said, putting Europe's cross-border postal network in the spotlight as a target of suspected Russian sabotage.
Together with cases of parcels detonating at European depots last year, the arrests added to an air of suspicion in Europe, where intelligence officials have warned of a growing threat from hybrid attacks in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The plot detailed by German prosecutors on Wednesday was described as a test run involving GPS trackers to scope out routes for future arson and bombing attacks.
The suspects are believed to have been in contact with individuals working for Russian state institutions, federal prosecutors said in a statement.
Two of the men, identified in line with German privacy laws only as Vladyslav T. and Daniil B., were arrested over the weekend in Germany. Another, identified as Yevhen B., was taken into custody on Tuesday in Switzerland.
"We know that Russia is trying to destabilise Western democracies by all means - including targeted sabotage and perfidious intelligence methods. Our security authorities ... are keeping a close eye on this threat," German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig said in a statement on the arrests.
Last summer, a series of parcels blew up at depots in Britain, Germany and Poland. Security officials later said the parcels were part of a test run for a Russian plot to trigger explosions on cargo flights to the United States.
Russia denied any involvement.
Those 2024 incidents were reported, opens new tab to have prompted then-President Joe Biden's White House to contact the Kremlin directly to tell it to stop such activity.
Under Biden's successor Donald Trump, the United States has since pulled back from coordinated efforts to counter alleged Russian sabotage.
DESTINATION UKRAINE
German prosecutors declined to comment on any connection between the latest case and the incidents of last summer. They did not specify whether the two parcels sent by the Ukrainian suspects were intended for air or overland transport.
The three Ukrainian nationals had prepared two "test parcels" containing GPS trackers to be sent from Cologne in western Germany in late March after telling one or more Russian state actors that they were prepared to carry out attacks, according to the prosecutors' statement.
Investigators believe the parcels were intended to scout out possible routes.
The Swiss Justice Ministry said Germany had requested extradition of the suspect arrested in Switzerland, but declined to give further details.
Last year, authorities warned businesses of the threat and logistics firm DHL (DHLn.DE), opens new tab took measures to protect its network following several fires at its warehouse in the eastern German city of Leipzig.
Thomas Haldenwang, head of Germany's domestic intelligence agency, told a parliamentary committee in October that the country had only narrowly escaped a plane crash when an air freight parcel caught fire.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has arrived in Kyiv to discuss further military support for Ukraine, with plans to negotiate additional weapons aid as Europe steps up pressure on Russia amid the ongoing conflict.
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Azerbaijan’s state energy firm SOCAR has signed a 10-year natural gas supply deal with Germany’s state-owned SEFE (Securing Energy for Europe), the companies announced on Tuesday.
BBK head Ralph Tiesler warns the nation is ill-prepared for a potential European conflict within four years, pushing to convert existing structures for 1 million people and upgrade warning systems, reflecting new security concerns.
A 30-year-old woman was shot by police in Munich on Saturday evening after stabbing two people at Theresienwiese, a central park best known for hosting Oktoberfest.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to issue a new executive order aimed at addressing labor shortages in the agriculture and tourism sectors, which have been affected by his administration’s stricter immigration policies.
Liam Payne's final onscreen appearance will air next month as part of a Netflix series, following the approval of his family who reviewed the content and supported his involvement in the music competition.
Within the framework of the international event on energy efficiency held in Brussels, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, met with the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol.
US producer prices rose 2.6% annually in May, matching market expectations, with a modest 0.1% increase from April, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran are nearing a critical point as President Trump warns that an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen," while still expressing hopes for a peaceful resolution over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is in critical condition after being shot three times — including twice in the head — during a campaign event in Bogotá.
A 30-year-old woman was shot by police in Munich on Saturday evening after stabbing two people at Theresienwiese, a central park best known for hosting Oktoberfest.
Kazakhstan and the UK are strengthening defense ties with a new Military Cooperation Plan, focusing on peacekeeping and military education.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned U.S. immigration raids and National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, calling for reforms instead of enforcement.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has openly expressed her opposition to labeling migrant workers as criminals during a high-level meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
Tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran are nearing a critical point as President Trump warns that an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen," while still expressing hopes for a peaceful resolution over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Türkiye and Azerbaijan are deepening defense ties with two major joint military drills in Nakhchivan this June, aiming to strengthen strategic cooperation and regional readiness.
European foreign ministers agreed to increase pressure on Russia by imposing new sanctions targeting its energy and banking sectors amid ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
As G7 leaders prepare to meet, most member states are ready to cut the Russian oil price cap to $45 even without U.S. backing.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to issue a new executive order aimed at addressing labor shortages in the agriculture and tourism sectors, which have been affected by his administration’s stricter immigration policies.
Liam Payne's final onscreen appearance will air next month as part of a Netflix series, following the approval of his family who reviewed the content and supported his involvement in the music competition.
Within the framework of the international event on energy efficiency held in Brussels, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, met with the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol.
US producer prices rose 2.6% annually in May, matching market expectations, with a modest 0.1% increase from April, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran are nearing a critical point as President Trump warns that an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen," while still expressing hopes for a peaceful resolution over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
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