Lithuania has charged a multinational gang with Russian connections over attempted arson attacks in 2024. The perpetrators, six nationals from Spain, Colombia, Cuba, Russia and Belarus, are facing up to 15 years in jail if convicted.
According to Lithuanian authorities, the group was coordinated by people living in Russia, who were connected to the country's GRU military intelligence service. The group attempted similar attacks in Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic, targeting oil infrastructure in Romania, construction warehouses in Poland, buses, a post office, and a cinema in the Czech Republic.
The Lithuanian deputy chief of criminal police, Saulius Briginas, stated that "the crimes were coordinated" and that orders were issued to the perpetrators by individuals living in Russia. The group was paid €5,000 to €10,000 each for their actions, with motivations mainly driven by money.
This is not the first time Lithuania has accused Russia of involvement in sabotage attacks. Last year, Lithuania blamed Russia for an attempted arson attack on an IKEA shopping centre. Polish prosecutors have also charged a Russian individual with directing a group of saboteurs and spies as part of a suspected campaign to undermine support for Ukraine in Warsaw.
Russia has consistently denied accusations of stepped-up sabotage and other attacks in the region since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
According to Lithuanian authorities, the group was coordinated by people living in Russia, who were connected to the country's GRU military intelligence service. The group attempted similar attacks in Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic, targeting oil infrastructure in Romania, construction warehouses in Poland, buses, a post office, and a cinema in the Czech Republic.
The Lithuanian deputy chief of criminal police, Saulius Briginas, stated that "the crimes were coordinated" and that orders were issued to the perpetrators by individuals living in Russia. The group was paid €5,000 to €10,000 each for their actions, with motivations mainly driven by money.
This is not the first time Lithuania has accused Russia of involvement in sabotage attacks. Last year, Lithuania blamed Russia for an attempted arson attack on an IKEA shopping centre. Polish prosecutors have also charged a Russian individual with directing a group of saboteurs and spies as part of a suspected campaign to undermine support for Ukraine in Warsaw.
Russia has consistently denied accusations of stepped-up sabotage and other attacks in the region since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
I think it's kinda unfair to just blame Russia for everything, you know? Like, sure they have their own motivations and stuff, but it's not like Lithuania is completely innocent too. 
I mean, what about the whole EU thing? Don't they have any control over their own borders and stuff? And what about Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic? They're all accused of letting Russia off the hook too easy... 
It's like, everyone's just pointing fingers without even looking at the bigger picture, you feel? 
. Six nationalities, all connected to Russia, getting paid big bucks for their troubles 
. I mean, €5k to €10k each? That's a pretty sweet deal for trying to burn down buildings and terrorize people 
. Meanwhile, Lithuania is just over here like "hey, we've got Russian spies on our tail" 
.
! What's even more surprising is that they were paid to do it, like they're just pawns in a much bigger game 
. It just goes to show how messed up things are when countries start playing with fire 
over territorial disputes and politics. We need to be careful not to let this sort of thing escalate into full-blown chaos 
!
But seriously, Russia's denials are getting old - it's like they're playing the role of the ultimate "I didn't do it" dad. 
. I mean, six people from different countries all in on the same thing? It's unlikely they'd have all coordinated on their own without some bigger player breathing down their necks... probably Moscow, if you ask me 
Like, can't we just focus on something else for once? 
I mean, come on, can't they just stop messing with other nations? The fact that they've denied any involvement time and time again is just frustrating. And what really gets me is that it's all about money - people are willing to risk their lives for a few thousand euros? 
It's just not right. Can we please move on from this topic now and discuss something more positive... like the latest gaming releases or something 
.
It doesn't add up. And €5,000 to €10,000 each? That's a pretty sweet payday for some arson attempts. I'm not saying the Lithuanians didn't do their due diligence, but it's suspicious that all these attacks started happening after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. 
. And let me get this straight - the motivation behind all these attacks is just money? Like, €5,000 to €10,000 each is what it takes to turn people into saboteurs? That's some messed up economics 
.
. But at the same time, I gotta ask... what's going on with Russia? It's like, they're always denying anything and trying to spin it in their favor 
.
. These gangsters need to get the message - they're not above the law! 
. And it's not just Lithuania, Poland and Romania have had similar issues too 
. And let's be real, who gets paid €5,000 to try and set fire to a post office or a cinema? It's not exactly a heroic cause 
.
. The GRU connection is a big deal, but it feels like Lithuania and Poland are just scratching the surface. What's really going on behind the scenes? Are there more individuals involved than we know about? And what about the money trail - where's that leading us? 
. Lithuania is totally on the right track accusing Russia of this sabotage and I'm so proud of them for standing up against it 
.
. But at the same time, let's be real, Russia is just playing dirty games here 
!
and now lithuania is paying the price for it 
and the worst part is that there are people out there who actually think this is cool 
. Lithuania is saying Russia's behind all this, but Russia's like "nope, we didn't do anything". Meanwhile, the perpetrators are just chillin', waiting to get caught and face up to 15 years in jail 
. Makes me think there's more to this story than meets the eye...