Lithuania Exposes Russian-Linked Plot Using Explosive Parcels Across Europe

Lithuanian authorities, in cooperation with European partners, have uncovered a covert network organizing parcel bombs that targeted logistics hubs in the UK, Germany, and Poland—a plot allegedly orchestrated by operatives tied to Russian military intelligence.

The Prosecutor General’s Office and the Criminal Police Bureau of Lithuania have stated this in a joint statement.

The pre-trial investigation revealed that in July 2024, a Lithuanian citizen, together with accomplices, sent four parcels “with homemade explosive and incendiary devices” from Vilnius to various European countries through the DHL and DPD delivery services.

The scheme involved sending incendiary or explosive devices disguised inside ordinary parcels via courier companies like DHL and DPD. In some cases these parcels ignited or caught fire at transit points (e.g., a warehouse near Birmingham and a depot in Leipzig), while other packages failed to detonate due to defective mechanisms.

“During the pre-trial investigation, it was established that the above-mentioned crimes were organized and coordinated by citizens of the Russian Federation associated with the military intelligence services of the Russian Federation,” the Lithuanian law enforcement agencies said.

Key individuals named include Ukrainian citizen Danylo Gromov (who possesses a Russian passport under the name Yaroslav Mikhailov) and Tomas Dovgan Stabachinskas, a Lithuanian-Russian. Russian citizen Andrei Baburov is also wanted.

In total, there are 15 suspects across several countries, including Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine. Those charged face serious crimes—organizing terrorist acts, working with a terrorist group, and possible life sentences under Lithuanian law.

Officials claim the plot went beyond mere domestic sabotage: it was a test for carrying out more dangerous attacks on cargo flights—including those bound for North America.

The plan allegedly involved disguising incendiary devices in seemingly harmless consumer goods (like cosmetics or electronics) and timing them to ignite during transit.

While none of the parcels successfully brought down a plane, the fires they caused illustrate the potential for much larger consequences.

These incidents with “explosive parcels” that occurred in the summer of 2024 were investigated by a group of European investigators. The media previously reported their conclusion that the incidents involved Russian special services.

Last year, the Wall Street Journal, citing Western security officials, reported that Russia was planning operations to set fire to cargo and passenger planes heading to the United States and Canada.