Russia suspected: DHL package fire could have triggered aircraft disaster!

Russia suspected: DHL package fire could have triggered aircraft disaster!

Leipzig, Deutschland - On April 23, 2025, reports of a dangerous incident in the DHL logistics center at Leipzig Airport brought up alarming news. A fire set that was hidden in a package inflamed itself and ensured that a potential plane crash was prevented in summer. The investigation indicates that the Russian military secret service GRU is involved in this sabotage campaign. The western intelligence services have identified several ranked GRU members who are connected to these plans. Among them is a Gru Colonel who has been sanctioned by the EU since December 2024 and is said to have acted actively for sabotage files through social media.

This new threat was not the first of its kind. In the summer of 2024, several packages with fire sets were discovered in DHL warehouses in Germany and Great Britain that were hidden in massage pillows. There was also an incident in Poland in which a package set fire to a DHL truck. The fire set, which was ignited in the DHL center in Leipzig, was based on quickly flammable magnesium and could have fatal consequences if it had been lit during the flight. Fortunately, the security authorities managed to identify and defuse the packages in good time before a disaster could occur during the flight.

Investigations and arrests

The investigation has led to a number of arrests, including several so-called “disposable agents” in Lithuania, Poland, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Great Britain. These agents were recruited via messenger services such as Telegram and form a network of around ten people who are held responsible for planning the campaign. A man brought the packages to the DHL packaging station in Vilnius, where they did not suspect at the routine scan. A GRU Colonel is suspected of being responsible for recruiting these agents.

James Appathurai from NATO urged the dangers that represent such arson attacks on civil air traffic. The Russian embassy in Berlin, on the other hand, vehemently denied all allegations and described it as "paranoia" and "conspiracy theories". These incidents are also in the context of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, which has been fundamentally changed since February 24, 2022.

security in times of uncertainty

The Ukraine conflict not only affects the geopolitical situation, but also on security in the euro-Atlantic area. NATO sees Russia as the greatest threat to security and plans to expand its military forces and defense budgets. The war has also affected international order, which requires a new world order that has to include other powers. Global challenges, such as climate change and pandemic crises, require closer international cooperation that is currently often hindered by national interests and conflicts.

The incidents around the package subscription and the associated investigations underline the urgency with which security authorities and international institutions have to react to the changing threat situation. It remains to be seen how this situation will develop and what measures are taken to prevent future attacks. The international community faces the challenge of ensuring security in a world in transition and at the same time managing the tensions in Europe's East.

For further information we refer to the reporting of Krone , Berliner Kurier and an analysis on security policy challenges on BPB .