Lithuanian authorities have accused Russia's GRU of a sophisticated arson attack on an Ikea store in Vilnius, with two Ukrainian teenagers arrested in connection to the incident. This attack forms part of a broader pattern of alleged Russian sabotage efforts across Europe.
Lithuania Points Finger at Russia for Ikea Store Arson
Lithuania Points Finger at Russia for Ikea Store Arson
Prosecutors allege Russian military intelligence orchestrated an arson attack on an Ikea store in Vilnius, leading to arrests.
Lithuanian prosecutors have made alarming allegations against Russia's military intelligence service, GRU, asserting its involvement in an arson attack on an Ikea furniture store in Vilnius last year. In a statement, prosecutor Arturas Urbelis described the incident as “an act of terrorism,” indicating that the investigation has uncovered links to Russian military and security services.
Following these discoveries, two Ukrainian suspects have been apprehended—one within Lithuania and another in Poland. The investigation suggests that there was prior coordination, as the two arrested individuals, both teenagers, met secretly in Warsaw to plan their actions. They allegedly aimed to set fire to stores in both Lithuania and Latvia in exchange for €10,000 (approximately $11,000) and a BMW.
Poland's Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, echoed Lithuania's findings, stating, "confirmed our suspicions that responsible for setting fires to shopping centres in Vilnius and Warsaw are the Russian secret services." His comments highlight a perceived pattern of Russian-led sabotage operations across Europe, which has drawn scrutiny and condemnation from NATO countries.
Russia has consistently rejected these allegations, claiming that they are unfounded and part of a wider campaign of misinformation against it. This accusation follows a series of suspicious incidents linked to Russian activities, including attacks last July, where parcels ignited fires at courier companies throughout Europe.
Experts in security suggest this behavior exemplifies a systematic campaign of "hybrid warfare." Such efforts aim to destabilize European support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict that commenced in February 2022. While the Vilnius attack did not result in casualties, it mirrors a similar incident that devastated a shopping mall in Warsaw the same month.
As tensions grow in the region, both Lithuania and Poland are firming up their stance against what they consider hostile operations by Russian entities.
