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Home » Russia » Russia Accused Of Planning Terrorism Using US-Bound Jetliners
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Russia Accused Of Planning Terrorism Using US-Bound Jetliners

Matthew Klint Posted onNovember 5, 2024November 5, 2024 10 Comments

a yellow and red airplane on a runway

Intelligence officials from several Western nations have accused Russia of plotting to take down jetliners bound for the United States via incendiary devices according to an explosive report in The Wall Street Journal.

Report: Russia Planned To Sabotage US-Bound Aircraft With Explosive Devices

Look no further than Leipzig, Germany, and Birmingham, England this summer for a test case of what Russia may have had in mind. Two incendiary devices–electric massagers implanted with a magnesium-based flammable substance–both shipped via German logistics company DHL, blew up before being loaded onto an aircraft.

Had the explosion occurred onboard, the magnesium fire may have been impossible to contain. DHL ships goods on both cargo and passenger jets. Intelligence agencies from Germany, the UK, and Lithuania have all concluded that Russia was behind these incidents and both marked a test case for how such goods could be successfully placed onboard a jetliner.

The devices were tracked to a DHL office in Vilnius, Lithuania, and a suspect who called himself Igor Prudnikov (his real name is Alexander Suranovas and he is believed to be a Russian spy) was arrested. Meanwhile, four suspects have been arrested in Poland and are thought to have been involved in the plot. Per Polish intelligence officials, “The group’s goal was also to test the transfer channel for such parcels, which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada.”

Of course, the Kremlin denies the allegations with spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling the WSJ, “We have never heard any official accusations. These are traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media.”

This Is About Fear

Facts are continuing to emerge, but already it seems to me that Russia hoped to do what all terrorists seek to accomplish: instill fear and disrupt daily life, sowing the seeds of discord and mistrust. Yes, in the worst-case scenario, these cargo fires may have taken down a jetliner if the explosion occurred over the ocean and the fire spread rapidly.

But more likely, at least statistically, such a fire would have prompted an emergency landing and a frenzied evacuation of the aircraft. It would have instilled fear…what if my aircraft had such a device? It would have slowed commerce and led to the sort of ridiculous security checks we have endured at certain inflection points over the years.

Imagine waiting 60 minutes instead of six minutes to go through security and not being able to take items like electronic devices onboard.

That sort of disruption undermines commerce and trust in the institutions that are funded to keep us safe.

Just like with Russia’s misinformation campaign concerning today’s US presidential election, the aim of the game is to confuse and disrupt.

And if cargo containers start blowing up, do you really expect us do anything differently? The pandemic showed that some will stop at nothing in the face of fear, even if it means closing down schools and houses of worship.

Sadly, what Russia is trying to do makes sense…all is fair in love and war. And like lemmings, we will fall for it hook line, and sinker if one of these incendiary devices actually manages to detonate onboard an aircraft in the air.

CONCLUSION

I’m very happy that what could have been a lethal attack by Russian agents against US and Canadian-bound jetliners was averted…though I think the point was not the particular aircraft that was targeted but sowing the seeds of fear and division. Even as facts continue to emerge, we can recognize that campaigns of fear have always worked, but we need no stand in fear on this day or any day.


image: DHL

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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10 Comments

  1. Grzegorz Reply
    November 5, 2024 at 7:10 am

    It’s not surprising at all that a nation of terrorists for more than a century (look up all of the assasination of tzars) is trying to commit terrorist acts. Animals, all of them. Hopefully they will soon get a taste of their own medicine when their stolen Airbus and Boeing aircraft start to crash – I pray that it happens during school holiday season.

  2. derek Reply
    November 5, 2024 at 8:11 am

    This case must be carefully evaluated. Make sure it’s not a case where a FBI agent sells a bomb to an idiot then the idiot is charged with terrorism. Don’t rely completely on foreign spy agencies, who have their own agenda. If the case can still be proven, then retaliation against Putin must occur. Sink one of their ships docked in port for repairs.

  3. Alert Reply
    November 5, 2024 at 8:30 am

    No tech junk nor electric gadgets ought be allowed in either checked nor hand bags . All little tech i-phones ought to be forbidden . Problems sorted .

    If a traveler is so desperate to watch the ‘Oprah and Camel-a Show’ , he can log-in at an internet cafe . Or stay home .

    • Tim Done Reply
      November 5, 2024 at 12:27 pm

      Who are you to say I can’t have my vibrating butt plugs on board with me???

  4. Dave Edwards Reply
    November 5, 2024 at 8:36 am

    Certainly not defending Putin or Russia, but why the F would they risk poking the bear? And in this case, we are now the bear.

    In all measurable indicators, they are struggling as a country and risking further sanctions or even a limited war with the US serves no useful purpose other than more despair for their people. Not that Putin cases about his people but he does care about staying in power.

    If this occurred, I’m saying it was without the approval of the Russian government. I’d even go as far to look into Ukrainian supporters trying to keep the money flowing to their war efforts.

    One way or another, we will now tomorrow which direct future relationships with Russia are headed.

  5. Maryland Reply
    November 5, 2024 at 9:37 am

    Not so sure the Russian government ( even if the spy rumor is correct ) is the actual culprit. A Russian terrorist group might be more likely as the “tests” point to a less skilled operation. The intelligence chatter may not be yet willing to separate individuals from the government.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      November 5, 2024 at 9:48 am

      Yes indeed. You and Dave are right that the upside to such an attack seem so outweighed by the downside.

  6. Scott Reply
    November 5, 2024 at 1:46 pm

    I would be very surprised if this plot was orchestrated by the actual Russian government. If it was, it would be an act of war….a war that Putin is ill equipped to win after years of being battered in Ukraine.

  7. Christian Reply
    November 5, 2024 at 1:58 pm

    A bit thick on the hyperbole perhaps but pretty accurate overall. The thing is, if the West doesn’t do anything about action like this then we’re actively encouraging Putin and his fellow dictators. The USA should announce that we’re giving Ukraine a huge tranche of military aid and rescinding our requirements that our aid not be used to attack Russian territory. That would clearly show that Russia acting like a rogue state has direct consequences.

  8. Darius Burbank Reply
    November 5, 2024 at 2:04 pm

    Why is this considered “news”? Russia is a terrorist state, period, has been for a long time, and makes no bones about it. Russians are liars, cheats, mafia thugs and lowlife scumbags. All of them. Russia commits acts of war and brazen terrorism daily…wake the hell up.

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