A fire that erupted at a DHL warehouse in Birmingham in July is now suspected to be part of a larger plot involving Russian-backed saboteurs, according to Polish and British officials. The blaze, sparked by a suspicious parcel that spontaneously ignited, is believed to have been a “trial run” ahead of planned attacks on the United States and Canada, Polish authorities claim.
Polish Authorities Confirm Arrests Linked to International Sabotage Plot
Following the incident in Birmingham, Poland’s National Prosecutor’s Office has arrested four individuals linked to the distribution of explosive parcels, reportedly directed at EU countries, the UK, and eventually North America. Prosecutor Katarzyna Calow-Jaszewska disclosed that the parcels, which contained incendiary devices that ignited or detonated during transit, were aimed at “testing transfer channels” for explosives destined for the US and Canada. The arrests were made on grounds of “international sabotage,” with Polish and German authorities identifying similar incidents at warehouses in Leipzig, Germany.
Russian Involvement Suspected, But Kremlin Denies Claims
British Counter Terrorism Policing is conducting an investigation into the Birmingham fire, with support from the Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands. The incident, which involved a suspicious package arriving by air at the DHL warehouse in Minworth, bore signs consistent with incendiary devices found in other recent European warehouse fires.
Reports by the Wall Street Journal suggest the incendiary devices were “electric massagers” embedded with a magnesium-based flammable substance, indicating a level of sophistication aimed at avoiding detection. The Kremlin has denied any involvement, dismissing these allegations as “traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media.”
European and UK Authorities Remain on High Alert
Though the four suspects were detained by Polish authorities, the UK’s Counter Terrorism Command has clarified that the arrests were not directly connected to their ongoing investigation in Birmingham. The incident highlights a growing concern across Europe about the tactics used in suspected Russian sabotage operations, and authorities in both the EU and the UK are on heightened alert for similar incidents.
This latest development reflects the escalating tensions as European nations continue to monitor security threats potentially linked to state-sponsored activities.
