Security authorities warn
Incendiary devices in air freight – packages burn in several countries
30.08.2024, 12:39
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Federal Criminal Police Office are warning aviation and logistics companies about “unconventional incendiary devices”. Packages in several European countries are catching fire, including in Leipzig. Is Russian sabotage behind it?
German security authorities are warning of “unconventional incendiary devices” that are being sent by unknown persons via freight service providers. 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 the way to their recipients in several European countries,” according to a security advisory. This was sent by both authorities to companies in the aviation and logistics sectors.
The word Russia does not appear in the warning message. Nevertheless, security circles do not rule out a connection with the increasing cases of Russian sabotage in Germany.
Fire in logistics center in Leipzig
The warning is linked in security circles to an incident at the DHL logistics center in Leipzig, which serves as the company’s global hub. In July, a package sent from the Baltic states caught fire there, which contained an incendiary device. The package set fire to an entire freight container, which also contained other packages. The fire was quickly extinguished.
The package containing the incendiary device was to be reloaded in Leipzig and sent on to its final recipient. Security circles assume that the incident is connected to increasing cases of suspected Russian sabotage. The Federal Prosecutor General in Karlsruhe has taken over the investigation. Other countries in Europe are also said to be affected by similar cases.
DHL takes security measures
When asked, DHL said: “In response to 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 affecting shipments in our network.” The company is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.
When asked, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution stated that the “BfV’s economic protection department sensitizes companies and business associations to potential security risks on an ad hoc basis.” A corresponding security notice was sent on August 28. The BfV could not comment on further details as this was not a public letter.
Packages containing electrical items and liquids
The letter of awareness from the BfV and BKA states that it must be taken into account that further packages containing unconventional incendiary devices have been or will be sent. The companies contacted were asked to sensitize their employees and take precautionary measures. Based on the current status, it can be assumed that the “unconventional incendiary devices were sent intentionally to damage freight service companies and other logistical infrastructure in western countries.”
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 packages have often been “economically disproportionate to the value of the goods in the shipments.” 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.
Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns of Russian sabotage
The BfV has repeatedly warned of Russian sabotage actions in the past. Most recently, on July 26, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution raised awareness of Russian acts of sabotage in a security notice for the economy published on its website: 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 of sabotage activities or corresponding preparatory actions in Germany.”
There were also indications of Russia at the NATO base in Geilenkirchen. Last week, security circles said that the temporary increase in security at the NATO air base in Geilenkirchen near Aachen was due to intelligence information about a possible threat from Russia. There was a serious indication from a foreign intelligence service “of preparatory actions for a likely Russian act of sabotage against the NATO base using 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 applied.
Russia increasingly unscrupulous when it comes to hybrid threats
Security circles said there was increasing evidence that Russia was becoming more and more unscrupulous when it came to flying drones over Bundeswehr sites. The sites affected were often those where Ukrainian soldiers were being trained. Recently, there were fears of sabotage at several Bundeswehr sites. However, after an investigation, the all-clear was given.
For example, the police and state security investigated a security incident at the waterworks of the Cologne-Wahn air force barracks because of the suspicion that the drinking water may have been contaminated. Security circles assume that the repeated drone flights over critical infrastructure in Schleswig-Holstein can also be attributed to Russia.