Reuters reported that a Ukrainian named Vladislav Derkavec, who lived in southern Poland, played a key role in the dangerous package scheme, acting on instructions he received in Telegram from a GRU chief he knew only as Warrior.
Reuters reported that a Ukrainian named Vladislav Derkavec, who lived in southern Poland, played a key role in the dangerous package scheme, acting on instructions he received in Telegram from a GRU chief he knew only as Warrior.
In the summer of 2024, explosions caused by packages containing dangerous homemade explosive devices occurred in Britain, Germany and Poland. As Reuters has learned, the operation was part of a large sabotage campaign, probably organized by the Russian military intelligence (GRU). Among the main elements of the plan were fake cosmetics, massage pillows and sex toys, which were embedded with homemade incendiary devices.
According to a source who provided information from the Polish investigation, the packages contained incendiary devices made of chemicals such as highly reactive magnesium. The devices were triggered by timers adapted from cheap Chinese gadgets used to track things such as lost keys. To enhance the effect, the cosmetic tubes actually contained a flammable gel containing, among other things, nitromethane.
European officials publicly reported the incidents in October 2024, describing them as part of a «hybrid war» that Russia is waging against countries supporting Ukraine. The packages ignited in warehouses, causing fires but, fortunately, no casualties. However, experts say this was just a rehearsal for more serious attacks, including the detonation of similar packages in mid-air on cargo flights to the United States and Canada.
Russia denies involvement in these events, saying they could be part of «fake news» or «Rossophobia.» However, European intelligence indicates that such methods are typical of the GRU, which often uses local criminals to carry out its plans. International law enforcement officials say that packages containing such devices can be easily made from readily available components, making them difficult to detect.
Polish investigators have already detained several suspects in the case, including a Ukrainian named Vladislav D., who received instructions via Telegram from a Russian operator named «Warrior.» The investigation is ongoing, and European authorities are already emphasizing the seriousness of the incident as part of a broader Russian campaign to destabilize countries that support Ukraine.
Polish law does not allow the names of people facing criminal charges to be made public. However, the suspect’s full name, Wladyslaw Derkavec, was released in a related court case in Bosnia, where there are no restrictions on identification.
