Event 859

{
  "attack_type": "Sabotage",
  "category": "Sabotage",
  "confidence": "High",
  "country": "Bosnia and Herzegovina",
  "description": "This article reveals the details behind a sabotage plot involving explosive devices disguised as sex toys and cosmetics sent in DHL parcels. The plot, orchestrated by Russian operatives including Aleksandr Bezrukavyi, aimed to target logistical infrastructure in Europe, notably involving a DHL cargo hub in Birmingham, UK, where a fire broke out. The multinational manhunt and trial in Bosnia and Herzegovina exposed Kremlin-backed sabotage efforts disrupting Western supply chains. The investigation highlighted a sophisticated network using unconventional disguises to smuggle explosives via postal services. This operation reflects a Kremlin campaign to attack Western infrastructure through covert means, with European nations cooperating closely to identify and dismantle the cell responsible.",
  "event_time_utc": "2025-05-05T12:00:00Z",
  "evidence": [
    "https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/05/explosive-sex-toys-and-cosmetics-the-story-behind-the-dhl-parcels-plot",
    "Explosive devices were hidden in sex toys and cosmetic parcels sent through DHL.",
    "Aleksandr Bezrukavyi was arrested and extradited during the multinational investigation.",
    "A DHL cargo plane and hub in Birmingham suffered damages from the sabotage attempt, causing a fire.",
    "Court hearings took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, revealing the extent of the Kremlin-linked sabotage.",
    "The article provides an exclusive account of how the sabotage campaign played out on the ground and the multinational effort to dismantle the network."
  ],
  "extra": {
    "extra": {
      "extra": {
        "evidence": [
          "https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/05/explosive-sex-toys-and-cosmetics-the-story-behind-the-dhl-parcels-plot",
          "Explosive devices were hidden in sex toys and cosmetic parcels sent through DHL.",
          "Aleksandr Bezrukavyi was arrested and extradited during the multinational investigation.",
          "A DHL cargo plane and hub in Birmingham suffered damages from the sabotage attempt, causing a fire.",
          "Court hearings took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, revealing the extent of the Kremlin-linked sabotage.",
          "The article provides an exclusive account of how the sabotage campaign played out on the ground and the multinational effort to dismantle the network."
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  "media_assets": [
    {
      "description": "ScreenshotOne capture",
      "type": "screenshot",
      "url": "/media/event_859_1764196108_964f23b5.jpg"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "v1",
  "screenshot_count": 1.0,
  "summary_extended": "The article details a sophisticated sabotage operation linked to the Kremlin, where Russian agents sent explosive devices cleverly concealed inside sex toys and cosmetic parcels through DHL shipping channels. One parcel caused a fire at the DHL cargo hub in Birmingham, UK, highlighting significant disruption to Western supply chains. The plot was uncovered through an extensive multinational investigation leading to several arrests, including of Aleksandr Bezrukavyi, who was extradited and tried in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The story reveals previously unreported operational details and the covert methods used to smuggle explosives, showing a deliberate Kremlin tactic against European infrastructure. This development underscores increased hybrid threat activities targeting logistics and transport networks in Europe, with implications for security and counter-sabotage measures across the continent.",
  "summary_short": "Russian operatives used explosive devices disguised as sex toys and cosmetics in DHL parcels to sabotage logistics hubs, notably causing a fire at Birmingham's DHL facility.",
  "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/05/explosive-sex-toys-and-cosmetics-the-story-behind-the-dhl-parcels-plot"
}

{
  "5th Column of Russians Inside (which countries)": "",
  "Attack Type": "Planned Sabotage",
  "Borders Including Sea, Air,  Violation or Sabotage (which countries)": "",
  "Continuous? (e.g. Jammers)": "",
  "Country (FI;EE;LV;LT;PL;BSR;Air)\nSeparated by Semicolon": "PL",
  "Date": "5-May-25",
  "Defense Prep Event (FI-EE-LV-LT-PL)": "",
  "Defense Prep Event (FI-EE-LV-LT-PL) REF LINK": "Russian agent coordinated sabotage from Bosnia using parcel bombs targeting NATO allies.",
  "Follow-Up Link?  (FI,EE,LV,LT,PL, BSR, Air)": "https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/05/explosive-sex-toys-and-cosmetics-the-story-behind-the-dhl-parcels-plot",
  "Follow-Up NOTES": "",
  "Follow-Up incl. Investigation, Prosecution?  (FI,EE,LV,LT,PL, BSR, Air)": "??Russian agent in Bosnia suspected of plotting sabotage against ??Poland, US, others",
  "Latitude, Longitude (WGS84, Decimal Degrees)": "",
  "NOTES": "??Russian agent in Bosnia suspected of plotting sabotage against ?? Poland, US, others",
  "Political Disruptions w/ Laws to Favor Kremlin (which countries)": "",
  "Russian-Belarus Terrorist Event (FI-EE-LV-LT-PL)": "",
  "Russian-Belarus Terrorist Event (FI-EE-LV-LT-PL) REF LINK": "",
  "Screen Snapshot": "",
  "Screen Snapshots": "",
  "Type Dropdown": "",
  "Where?\n(Air, Land, Sea)": ""
}