### Mystery Fires at European Cargo Hubs Linked to Russian Sabotage Plot

A recent series of unexplained fires at European cargo hubs has been attributed to a clandestine Russian effort to test methods for placing bombs on planes bound for the United States, according to Western officials. These fires, which erupted at DHL air hubs in Germany and England, as well as a courier site in Poland, have been traced back to electric massagers containing a magnesium-based flammable substance.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the devices ignited in England had connections to Lithuania, where local authorities apprehended a suspect involved in a broader Russian plot to sabotage shipments to the US and North America. The suspect, initially identified as Igor Prudnikov, was found to be Alexander Suranovas, allegedly working for Russia's espionage network.

The incendiary devices sent to Birmingham's transport hub in England allegedly included four bombs dispatched by Suranovas, with two originating from a DHL shop in Vilnius. Polish police have also detained four individuals concerning fires at a transport hub in Jablonow near Warsaw, while two additional suspects are still being sought for their participation in sabotage or terrorist activities on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency.

Pawel Szota, the head of Poland's foreign intelligence agency, has pointed to direct Russian involvement in the fires and warned of the deadly consequences that could have ensued. "I'm not sure the political leaders of Russia are aware of the consequences if one of these packages exploded, causing a mass casualty event," Szota stated. Fortunately, no casualties were reported from the July fires. In Germany, the fire at DHL's Leipzig port was mitigated when the flight carrying the incendiary devices experienced delays, and the fire in Jablonow took two hours to extinguish.

DHL has acknowledged the underlying causes of the fires at its facilities in Germany and England, affirming its cooperation with investigators. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has dismissed these reports as unfounded allegations from Western media.