- Category
- Latest news
Exploding DHL Parcels Target Europe, Linked to Russian Intelligence Network
- Authors
![Photo of Roman Kohanets]( "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
Russian intelligence is suspected of orchestrating a series of self-igniting or exploding parcel attacks across Europe, including a 2024 freight fire in Birmingham, according to Sky News on March 6.
London’s Metropolitan Police stated the investigation spans several countries and centers on multiple cargo fires.
The Birmingham fire broke out at a DHL depot in July 2024. Police linked it to other incidents involving parcels sent across Europe.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
Sky News added that four parcels were shipped from Lithuania to addresses in the United Kingdom and Poland in July 2024.
One caught fire at Leipzig airport. Another exploded inside a truck in Poland. One was seized intact. The fourth was the Birmingham parcel.
A 38-year-old Romanian national was arrested in the UK last year on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence agency.
He was later released, but remains under investigation. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans stated Russian military intelligence is believed to be responsible.
Eurojust reported that 22 suspects in Lithuania and Poland have been identified as possible operatives working for Russian military intelligence.
European governments have repeatedly accused Moscow of espionage, sabotage, and other hybrid operations since Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine.
British intelligence in November 2024 described a “staggeringly reckless campaign” of sabotage in Europe, while Dutch intelligence in April 2025 warned that Russia was intensifying hybrid attacks.
Earlier, it was reported that Western and Russian intelligence services are competing over the fate of Yaroslav Mikhailov, a Russian national accused of helping coordinate incendiary parcels sent through European air-cargo hubs.
Officials said Mikhailov fled Europe on false documents and is now in Azerbaijan under surveillance but not formally detained, as Moscow presses Baku to return him while Poland seeks extradition.
Investigators allege he acted as an intermediary for GRU handlers and a criminal network, and Western officials warn the case could expose details of Russia’s wider sabotage and hybrid campaign in Europe.
-457ad7ae19a951ebdca94e9b6bf6309d.png)
