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Western authorities are increasingly convinced that Russia is involved in a series of fires. These fires occurred on July 24th at air cargo hubs in Germany, the UK and Poland. A fully booked passenger plane was at risk of exploding into flames and crashing.
The fire broke out quickly and in succession at multiple sites. They occurred in Leipzig, in eastern Germany, near Warsaw, the capital of Poland, on the outskirts of Birmingham in central England. The warehouses, including those of international logistics giant DHL, were on fire.
Russian intelligence involved
According to a report in the November 2024 American newspaper The Wall Street Journal, massage devices shipped from Lithuania caused fires in the UK and Germany. Apparently someone had equipped them with a magnesium-based agitator.
Once magnesium is ignited, it is difficult to disappear using standard fire control systems found on aircraft. While dedicated cargo planes transport most air cargo, companies may use passenger aircraft cargo as well.
European investigators believe the series of incidents could have been a dry run. They believe it is intended to determine how the cargo will be loaded onto flights bound by the US and Canada.
According to the New York Times digital version of January 13, 2025, the Joe Biden administration conducted an Intelligence News Analysis in August 2024. They concluded that the GRU, the Russian military intelligence agency, was involved. At the time, national security adviser Jake Sullivan and then director of William Burns issued warnings to Vladimir Putin. Both men urged his administration to stop such terrorist activities.
On January 15, 2025, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tass said at a press conference that Russia had planned “terrorist acts” against civil aircraft around the world. These Russian parcels included adjusting the July 2024 fire in Poland.
Moscow’s Shadow Fleet
In Europe’s Baltic Sea region, damage to submarine cables for fiber optic communication and power transmission continues. There is a strong suspicion that Russia is involved in these events.
Furthermore, in November 2024, a Chinese cargo ship that suffered Russian citizens destroyed two submarine communications cables. Then, in December, four other power and communications cables were damaged. Finnish authorities then seized the tanker carrying Russian oil. A seabed investigation showed anchor traces dragged nearly 100 kilometres. Authorities believe the tankers are part of the so-called “shadow fleet.” The fleet smuggles Russian oil and avoids sanctions from the US, Europe and Japan.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has established a division focused on protecting critical undersea infrastructure and is increasing its vigilance. The Chinese cargo ship arriving caused a similar cable damage incident near Taiwan in January 2025. Japan cannot ignore this issue.
Lessons and misunderstandings
European countries are increasingly wary that the Russian hybrid war has already begun. With rage at its support for Ukraine, Russia appears to be testing the Western response through its grey zone attack. While strengthening defence measures is extremely important, it is also important to issue harsh warnings to Russia, as did the former Biden administration.
Following Donald Trump’s inauguration, there is growing hope that Russia’s war of attacks against Ukraine will end. However, some Japanese commentators have made the absurd claim that if Trump and Putin join hands, the world will achieve peace.
As a journalist, I am deeply committed to a fair resolution in Russia’s war against Ukraine. However, no matter what argument we must lose sight of the true nature of Russia and Putin’s regime.
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Author: ryosuke endo, Sankei Shinbun
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