Germany again catches Russia trying to bomb DHL planes
German authorities have arrested three men in a Russian-directed sabotage plot aimed at bombing commercial cargo aircraft across Europe. The suspects—identified only as Vladyslav T, Daniil B, and Yevhen B due to privacy laws—were apprehended during coordinated raids in Konstanz, Cologne, and Switzerland. Prosecutors say they were acting on behalf of Russian state actors.
The men allegedly planned to send explosive or incendiary parcels from Germany that would detonate mid-flight—targeting European freight systems and risking catastrophic civilian casualties. One suspect, Vladyslav T, reportedly mailed test packages equipped with GPS trackers in late March from Cologne to map cargo flight routes, a tactic consistent with earlier Russian operations.
This incident fits a well-documented pattern. In 2024, Russian-linked arson attacks struck DHL logistics hubs in Leipzig and near Warsaw. According to German intelligence and Western security agencies, these operations fall under Russia’s broader strategy of hybrid warfare—combining sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation to destabilize Europe and erode support for Ukraine.
The scale of this campaign is growing. In 2024 alone, AP News recorded 59 Russian espionage and sabotage attempts across Europe. Germany’s domestic intelligence chief, Thomas Haldenwang, has repeatedly pointed to the GRU—Russia’s military intelligence agency—as the orchestrator behind such attacks.
Not isolated attacks
This latest foiled plot comes just months after the arrest of two German-Russian nationals accused of planning assaults on U.S. military bases in Bavaria. It highlights the ongoing threat to critical Western infrastructure, not just in cyberspace, but in the physical realm of logistics and transportation.
These attacks are not isolated. They are signals—of Russia’s intent to escalate, to punish support for Ukraine, and to test Europe’s resolve. The West must treat them not as outliers, but as part of a systemic assault on democracy and civilian safety.
As the frontline stretches from Ukraine to air corridors above Europe, it’s clear: this is no longer just Ukraine’s war. It’s a test of the West’s capacity to respond—not just in defense, but in deterrence.
Especially since Russia keeps targeting another major EU economy France with disinformation campaigns.