Russia accused of plan to send incendiary devices on planes to US | The world | News

Russia is suspected of orchestrating a sinister plan to plant incendiary devices on planes bound for the United States and Canada, recent reports suggest. The alarming claims emerged following incidents in July where several flammable devices spontaneously combusted at DHL logistics centers in Leipzig, Germany and Birmingham, UK.

These incidents sparked an extensive investigation to uncover the culprits behind the potentially deadly scheme. It is believed the devices were electric massagers packed with magnesium-based flammable materials, sent to the UK via Lithuania.

The The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the devices “appear to have been a test run to figure out how to get such flammable devices aboard planes bound for North America.”

In response to the Birmingham incident, a DHL spokesman previously stated The mirror: “DHL Express Europe is taking risk mitigation measures to secure its network, staff and assets as well as customer shipments by implementing enhanced security measures across European countries in response to ongoing investigations by authorities from several countries.”

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed to The Mirror that counter-terrorism officers were investigating the incident in Birmingham.

They said: “On Monday July 22 a parcel caught fire at the site. It was dealt with by staff and the local fire service at the time and there were no reports of any injuries or significant damage caused.”

The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, with support from the West Midlands team, is leading an investigation into a series of incidents involving suspicious packages.

The spokesman added: “Due to the circumstances and the specialist capacity and expertise in investigating such cases, the investigation is being led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command with the support of colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands.

“The investigation remains ongoing and there have been no arrests in our investigation at this time. As part of our investigations, officers are liaising with other European law enforcement partners to identify whether this may be linked to other similar incidents or no. across Europe, if anyone is concerned about a suspicious package or item, they should report it to the police immediately by calling 999.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the allegations when the WSJ investigated them, saying, “We have never heard any official allegations.”

He went on to say, “These are traditional unsubstantiated innuendos from the media.”

Meanwhile, a US official assured CNN that “at this time, there is no current active threat directed at flights to the United States.”

Last month, the Polish authorities detained four people on suspicion of being involved in international sabotage and being a sabotage group.

Police officials are now hunting two more suspects in connection with these events.

A Polish official revealed that the packages contained “camouflaged explosives and hazardous materials” which were sent to the UK and EU countries, leading to spontaneous combustion or explosions in transit.