Officials say Russia plotted to put incendiary packages on planes headed to US
TSA officials say extra security measures are in place for cargo shipments to the U.S. as Western officials investigate Russia's involvement in a plot to put incendiary devices on planes headed to North America.
Officials said they believe Russian intelligence is behind multiple acts of sabotage in Europe, including using self-combustible parcels sent to the UK and other European countries. One of those packages caught fire at a DHL courier hub in Germany and another ignited in a warehouse in England. The group also tested a channel for sending such parcels to the United States and Canada, officials said, but there's no current threat targeting flights to the U.S.
"We continually adjust our security posture as appropriate and promptly share any and all relevant information with our industry partners, to include requirements and recommendations that help them reduce risk," the TSA said.
Russia is believed to have placed incendiary devices in packages, one of which caught fire at a DHL hub in Germany (Photo by Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via )
The incendiary devices are yet another example of Russia's hybrid war of sabotage targeting Ukraine's allies , including election disinformation and arson attacks in Europe this year.
Poland said last month that it has arrested four people suspected to be linked to a foreign intelligence operation that carried out sabotage. Lithuania said there are an unspecified number of people detained in several countries.
"Russia is using its entire toolbox: from influencing political discussions ... to cyber attacks against critical infrastructure and sabotage. Russia's willingness to use force proves that it is also willing to put human lives at risk," Thomas Haldenwang, head of the German intelligence service, said.
