Suspects linked to Russian military intelligence detained in Lithuania over European parcel bomb attacks

Lithuania’s Criminal Police Bureau and the Prosecutor General’s Office announced the detention of several suspects accused of organizing terrorist attacks in European countries.

According to a police press release that was made public earlier today, the group included citizens of Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, and Ukraine. In July 2024, they sent several parcels containing explosives from Vilnius using DHL and DPD.

Police said a Lithuanian citizen mailed four packages containing improvised explosive-incendiary devices that month. Two parcels were flown by DHL cargo planes to the UK, while two others were sent by DPD trucks to Poland.

The first package exploded and caught fire at Leipzig Airport on July 20 before it could be loaded onto a DHL flight to the UK. Another went off two days later at a warehouse in Birmingham. On July 21, a third parcel exploded inside a DPD truck traveling through Poland. The fourth shipment failed to detonate due to a technical malfunction.

Investigators said the devices were triggered by electronic timers hidden inside massage pillows. Tubes of hygiene and cosmetic products contained additional flammable chemical mixtures intended to intensify the blasts.

According to law enforcement, Russian nationals with ties to Russia’s military intelligence coordinated the attacks. Some of the alleged organizers were also linked to the arson of an IKEA warehouse in Vilnius in May 2024.

Authorities said 15 suspects are under investigation. Three Russian citizens have been placed on an international wanted list.