Counter terrorism detectives identify Russian involvement in cargo fires

An international police investigation has identified suspected Russian involvement in a series of incidents targeting air freight across Europe.

Detectives from Lithuania, Poland, the UK, Germany and The Netherlands, worked together to share investigative material relating to several fires involving cargo, which took place across Europe.

The team was established through Eurojust - the European Union for Criminal Justice.

Counter Terrorism Policing London became involved after a package in a depo in Minworth, Birmingham, ignited in 22 July 2024. Detectives took primacy for the investigation, linking it to other incidents which had taken place.

A 38-year-old man, a Romanian national, was arrested on 19 March 2025 on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, under section 3 of the National Security Act 2023. He was subsequently released and remains under investigation.

Enquiries undertaken so far have led detectives to believe that Russian military intelligence be involved.

Investigators from Counter Terrorism Policing London continue to liaise closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, European partners and the affected freight carrier as part of the ongoing investigation.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said:

“The work of our European counterparts has been truly remarkable and demonstrates the critical need for us to work across borders, as well as the expertise of our colleagues overseas.

“The strength of cooperation in this case has led us to collectively identify what we believe to be Russian military intelligence involvement in a series of incidents across Europe.

“Our investigation is ongoing, and we continue to liaise closely with partners to ensure we’re doing all we can to keep the sector, and the public safe.

“We have been clear and open about the increasing levels of demand we’re seeing relating to the activity of foreign states here in the UK.

“For Counter Terrorism Policing this means more investigations, and our teams are working around the clock to identify and disrupt a range of activity to protect the UK and the public from terrorism and other national security threats.'

The full Eurojust update can be found here Joint investigation team disrupts group using self-igniting parcels for terrorist attacks | Eurojust | European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation