Germany Warning of incendiary devices in air freight - Russian sabotage?
German security authorities are warning of "unconventional incendiary devices" being sent by unknown persons via freight service providers.
30.08.2024, 13:03
SDA
For several weeks, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) have been "aware of several parcel shipments that were posted by private individuals at locations in Europe and caught fire on their way to their addressees in several European countries", according to a security notice obtained by the German Press Agency in Berlin. This was sent by both authorities to companies in the aviation and logistics sector.
The word Russia does not appear in the warning from the BfV and BKA. Nevertheless, security circles are not ruling out a connection with the increasing cases of Russian sabotage in Germany.
Incident at logistics center in Leipzig
In security circles, the warning is linked to an incident at the DHL logistics center in Leipzig, which acts as the company's global hub. A parcel sent from the Baltic States containing an incendiary device is said to have caught fire there in July. The parcel is said to have set fire to an entire freight container, which also contained other parcels. The fire is said to have been extinguished quickly.
The parcel containing the incendiary device was to be reloaded in Leipzig (Saxony) and sent on to its final addressee. Security circles assume that the incident is connected to increasing cases of suspected Russian sabotage. According to dpa information, the Federal Public Prosecutor General in Karlsruhe has taken over the investigation. A spokeswoman declined to provide any information when asked. Other countries in Europe are also said to be affected by similar cases.
DHL: Have taken measures
When asked, DHL stated: "In response to the ongoing investigations by authorities in several countries, DHL Express has taken measures in all European countries to protect its network, its employees and facilities as well as its customers' shipments. We are aware of two recent incidents involving shipments in our network." The company is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.
Protection of the constitution: security notice sent out
In response to a dpa inquiry, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (domestic intelligence service) explained that the BfV's "economic protection department sensitizes commercial enterprises and trade associations to potential security risks on an ad hoc basis". A corresponding security notice was also sent out on August 28. The BfV could not comment on further details as this was not a public letter.
Security notice is intended to raise awareness
The awareness letter from the BfV and BKA states that it must be taken into consideration that further parcels with unconventional incendiary devices have been or will be sent. The companies contacted were asked to sensitize their employees and take precautionary measures. As things stand at present, it can be assumed that the "unconventional incendiary devices were sent deliberately to damage freight service companies and other logistics infrastructure in western countries".
Packages containing electrical items and liquids
All of the packages that have come to light so far have contained electrical items and containers with liquids. The high shipping costs of the parcels were regularly "economically disproportionate to the value of the goods".
It is an open secret in security circles that Russian sabotage and espionage activities in Germany have increased significantly in recent weeks and months, for example with the use of drones.
Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns industry of Russian sabotage
The BfV has repeatedly warned of Russian sabotage activities in the past. Most recently, on 26 July, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution published a security notice on its website warning businesses about Russian acts of sabotage: The corresponding cases observed across Europe since 2023 "as well as increased indications of possible activities in Germany are currently leading to an adjusted assessment: there is an increased risk with regard to sabotage activities or corresponding preparatory acts in Germany."
There were also indications of Russia at the NATO base
Last week, security circles reported that the temporary increase in the security level at the NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen near Aachen was based on intelligence about a possible threat from Russia. There had been a serious indication from a foreign intelligence service "of preparatory actions for a probable Russian act of sabotage against the NATO base through the use of a drone".
Previously, the second-highest security level had been in place at the Nato base in North Rhine-Westphalia for almost 24 hours. After nothing happened, the security precautions were reduced back to the level that had previously been in place.
Russia increasingly ruthless when it comes to hybrid threats
According to security circles, there were growing indications that Russia was becoming increasingly ruthless in its drone flights over Bundeswehr bases. Sites where Ukrainian soldiers are being trained are often affected.
Recently, there were also fears of sabotage at several Bundeswehr locations. However, the all-clear was given following an investigation. For example, police and state security investigated a security incident at the waterworks of the Cologne-Wahn air force barracks on suspicion that the drinking water could have been contaminated. Security circles assume that the repeated drone flights over critical infrastructure in Schleswig-Holstein are also attributable to Russia.
