Lithuanian prosecutors charge Russia-linked network with terrorism

Developing StoryLast updated MAR 6
SUMMARY

Lithuanian prosecutors charged five individuals with terrorism on March 6, 2026, for allegedly acting on behalf of Russian military intelligence to plant incendiary devices on airplanes in 2024. As of March 6, 2026: An international investigation identified 22 individuals involved, with suspects accused of using delivery services to send four packages containing improvised incendiary devices, one of which detonated at Leipzig Airport and another caught fire in Poland. This follows earlier charges on January 16, 2026, against six foreign nationals from Spain, Colombia, Cuba, Russia, and Belarus, for preparing a terrorist act against UAB TVC Solutions, a company supplying radio wave scanners to Ukraine's army, with potential sentences of up to 15 years in prison. Authorities in the UK, Lithuania, and Latvia have detained several individuals suspected of intelligence activities for Russia, uncovering a broader Russia-linked network planning arson attacks across various European countries, including an alleged arson attack on an IKEA store in Vilnius in May 2024.

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2026

9 updates

Lithuanian prosecutors have charged five individuals with terrorism for allegedly acting on behalf of Russian military intelligence to plant incendiary devices on airplanes in 2024. An international investigation identified 22 individuals involved, with suspects accused of using delivery services to send four packages containing improvised incendiary devices. One package detonated at Leipzig Airport, and another caught fire in Poland.

via binance.com·unn.ua·independent.co.uk

Authorities in the UK, Lithuania, and Latvia have detained several individuals suspected of intelligence activities for Russia, uncovering a broader Russia-linked network planning arson attacks across various European countries.

via apnews.com

The targeted company in the attempted arson attack was identified as UAB TVC Solutions, which produces mobile radio frequency analysis stations.

via biz.liga.net

Lithuanian authorities have accused Russia's GRU military intelligence service of orchestrating the sabotage attacks, specifically targeting a plant supplying radio wave scanners to Ukraine's army. The attacks were also aimed at destabilizing Lithuania and undermining support for Ukraine, with targets including transportation and energy infrastructure.

via hirunews.lk·youtube.com·vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com

Lithuanian prosecutors have charged six foreign nationals with preparing a terrorist act against a company supplying equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, allegedly under the direction of Russian military intelligence. This follows an earlier accusation that Russian military intelligence orchestrated an arson attack on an IKEA store in Vilnius in May 2024, labeling it an "act of terrorism." A broader Russia-backed operation involving arson attacks across Europe has also led to 15 people being charged.

via lrt.lt·euronews.com·lrt.lt

Lithuanian authorities formally brought charges against six foreign nationals (from Spain, Colombia, Cuba, Russia, and Belarus) for their alleged involvement in the Russian-directed sabotage attacks. They face charges of participating in a terrorist group, attempting to commit a terrorist act, and financing terrorist activities, with potential sentences of up to 15 years in prison.

via euromaidanpress.com·militarnyi.com·euromaidanpress.com·reform.news·johnmenadue.com

Lithuanian prosecutors charged three men, holding Russian or dual Russian and Estonian citizenship, with pouring red paint over a monument to an anti-Soviet resistance leader, an act attributed to Russian military intelligence.

via rusi.org

2025

6 updates

Russian courts have sentenced Lithuanian mercenary Povilas Adomas Limontas to 6.5 years in prison in absentia for fighting in Ukraine, placing him on an international wanted list. Criminal cases have also been sent to court against other foreign 'legionnaires' from Colombia, Sweden, and Japan.

via mid.ru

A gang involved in a Russian-ordered arson attack on a London warehouse that was aiding Ukraine has been sentenced in the UK. The group had also plotted further attacks and an attempted kidnapping. This sentencing follows Lithuania's charging of 15 people with terrorist offenses related to detonating parcels.

via youtube.com

In October 2025, fifteen individuals were charged with terrorist offenses in Lithuania for the detonation of DHL and DPD parcels that caused fires in Poland, Germany, and the UK. Prosecutors attributed these acts to Russia's military intelligence services, suggesting they were a dry run for sabotage.

via youtube.com

Lithuanian prosecutors have charged 15 individuals in connection with an alleged Russia-backed network that planned arson attacks across Europe. The suspects are accused of sending homemade explosive devices to EU countries and the UK on behalf of Russian secret services, with the plot reportedly led by individuals tied to Russia's GRU military intelligence.

via independent.co.uk·youtube.com

Three Ukrainian nationals have been convicted in Poland for their involvement in a Russian-linked arson campaign across Europe, including Lithuania. Separately, Europol warned of Russia's increasing use of criminal networks for politically motivated sabotage, with Lithuanian prosecutors attributing a summer 2024 arson attack on an IKEA store in Vilnius to Russia's GRU.

via theguardian.com·notesfrompoland.com·apnews.com

Lithuanian prosecutors have attributed an arson attack on an Ikea store in Vilnius in May 2024 to Russia's GRU military intelligence service, labeling it an act of terrorism. Two Ukrainian citizens are suspects in the case, with one detained in Lithuania and another in Poland.

via theguardian.com

2024

6 updates

Lithuanian investigators concluded there was no 'unlawful interference' in a recent DHL cargo plane crash near Vilnius Airport, dispelling initial suspicions of Russian sabotage. Preliminary analysis of flight data and evidence at the crash site revealed no foul play.

via themoscowtimes.com

An international journalistic investigation linked sabotage acts in Lithuania and Poland to Russia's 390th GRU intelligence point in Kaliningrad. Lithuanian prosecutors also announced the detention of a group, including Ukrainian (with Russian passport) and Lithuanian citizens, who planned four hybrid terror acts.

via kaunodiena.lt·prokuraturos.lt

Story began · 1 year, 6 mo ago