A suspected Russian plot to target US-bound flights with exploding sex toys could escalate into an all-out war between NATO and Russia, an expert has warned.
Two incendiary devices ignited in British and German DHL depots in July after being reportedly hidden among erotic gadgets and sex toys.
While no one was injured in the fires, authorities warned that the planes could have been downed if the explosives ignited mid-flight.
In the Birmingham, the parcel exploded hours after being loaded onto a plane, whereas in Germany the package ignited on the ground during a flight delay.
Western officials fear the incidents were test runs for a plot to target US-bound flights – a move they say would be a major escalation, especially if it resulted in a mass-casualty event.
Dr Samuel Ramani, an expert at leading defence and security think tank RUSI, has now told MailOnline that the ‘bomb plots’ could lead to ‘all-out confrontation’ if the West retaliates.
Two incendiary devices were shipped via a DHL logistics centre on July 22 to Birmingham , England, and Leipzig, Germany, resulting in a fire
The alleged suspect is spotted in security camera footage
Massage pillows and other erotic gadgets were reportedly found in a shipment that concealed incendiary devices that later detonated in British and German DHL depots
‘If the West comes together and takes threat seriously Russia could end up losing from this,’ he said.
‘The irony is the Russians might end up getting something they don’t want in return for the attacks.
‘They might see NATO countries increase their weapons supplies to Ukraine and allow them to fire missiles further into Russia.
‘It is probably something that could trigger an all-out confrontation, but it would likely be limited to Ukraine.
‘It could absolutely escalate the confrontation but within the parameters already set.’
He said what Russia is doing is a ‘form of terrorism’ and that the parcels were a response to Britain’s approval of the use of storm shadow missiles in Ukraine.
And when asked if people should be fearful of the threat posed by Russia, Dr Ramani said: ‘Yes, people should be very vigilant – they should not take threat less seriously than ISIS or any other terror group.
‘They are terrorists in the same way, very serious intent, strategic action, not just a rogue action, criminal for hire, this is a state sponsored operation.’
Four people in Poland have been arrested in connection to the July warehouse blaze.
They have been charged with participating in sabotage or terrorist operations on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the Security Council meeting on nuclear deterrence at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on September 25
Polish reports claimed two incendiary devices that were shipped via a DHL logistics centre were hidden among a package of ‘erotic gadgets and massage pillows’
Sources have suggested that the package which ignited in Leipzig was also bound for the UK, but it remains unclear why the UK was the chosen destination for the two devices, originally shipped from Lithuania.
Images released by the Wall Street Journal, provided by an unnamed European security official, appear to show the massage pillows, suspect and the moment of the explosion.
So far, counter-terrorism police in the UK have only confirmed that a device in Birmingham caught fire and that it was dealt with ‘by staff and the local fire brigade at the time’.
But investigators have said there could have been far more serious consequences had the camouflaged devices ignited while in flight.
Poland’s prosecutor’s office said: ‘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.’
Head of Poland’s foreign intelligence agency, Pawel Szota, also blamed Russia, although the prosecutor’s office statement did not name a foreign government suspected of directing the operations.
British police and officials, as well as their European counterparts in Germany, Poland and Lithuania, also strongly suspect that Russia was behind the attacks as part of an effort to cause ‘mayhem’ in retaliation for western military support to Ukraine.
But Russia has denied involvement in the alleged plot.
‘These are traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media,’ Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the WSJ.
German intelligence service chief Thomas Haldenwang previously warned of an increase in ‘aggressive behaviour’ from Moscow
Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether Russia was behind an incendiary device that burst into flames at this DHL centre in Minworth, Birmingham (pictured)
Concerns over Russia’s suspected involvement came as Western officials are increasingly fearing the country may be responsible for similar sabotage acts.
German intelligence service chief Thomas Haldenwang previously said Russian ‘aggression’ was ‘putting people’s lives at risk’ as well as affecting ‘all areas of our free society.
Foreign intelligence service chief Bruno Kahl added Putin was likely to further ‘test the West’s red lines’, amid the increase in tensions between Russia and Nato over the invasion of Ukraine.
He said there was now a willingness at a ‘previously unknown level’ to attempt sabotage from the Kremlin.
A warehouse in London belonging to a company with links to Ukraine caught fire in a a suspected deliberate attack in March.
Meanwhile in Germany a military base was the target of a suspected attempt to contaminate its drinking water in August.
US intelligence also uncovered a plot to murder Armin Papperger, the CEO of weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall, which has supplied vehicles and ammunition to Ukraine.
And Russia was accused of being behind a fire at a shopping centre in Warsaw by Polish prime minister Donald Tusk.
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