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The aggressor country of Russia is unleashing a new form of hybrid warfare in Europe – this time through postal parcels, disguises and silent detonators. According to Reuters, citing sources familiar with the investigation in Poland and comments by more than a dozen European officials, Russia is using household goods – including sex toys – to carry out sabotage attacks in countries that support Ukraine.
Burning parcels – a signal of danger
In July 2024, explosions occurred at courier warehouses in Birmingham (UK), Leipzig (Germany) and near Warsaw (Poland). The fires did not cause any casualties, but raised suspicions among security services. As it turned out, the parcels contained improvised incendiary devices made of chemicals, including highly reactive magnesium and flammable gels containing nitromethane.
The devices were activated with detonators made from cheap Chinese trackers, which are commonly used to find lost keys. The explosives were disguised as sex toys, massage cushions and tubes of cosmetics.
The goal is to destabilise the West
Officials believe the attacks were a test phase for a larger plan to detonate similar devices in the air on cargo flights to the United States and Canada. Such sabotage is seen as part of Russia’s hybrid warfare, which includes arson, cyberattacks, disinformation and psychological pressure.
“This is not an isolated action, but part of a systemic attempt to undermine the security and stability of the West,” Reuters sources said.
Russian curators and Telegram instructions
The investigation, conducted by the National Prosecutor’s Office of Poland, is based on the testimony of at least five suspects, as well as on the findings of Polish intelligence services. One of the key suspects is a Ukrainian man, Vladislav, who lived in southern Poland and received instructions via Telegram from a Russian curator. He has already been detained, as has another Russian citizen, Alexander.
Polish investigators also seized a fourth unopened parcel, which allowed them to examine its construction in detail.
“Russia is not acting directly, but through mercenaries: they give simple instructions and pay the perpetrators several thousand euros for sabotage,” the sources said.
The Kremlin denies everything
As in many other cases, the Kremlin has denied the allegations, hinting that they are fake. However, the nature of the attacks, the type of devices used and the methods of recruitment fit well with the long-known methods of the Russian special services.
New front – in ordinary mailboxes
Although the devices were primitive and did not cause large-scale explosions, experts warn that it is their invisibility and simplicity that make such attacks particularly dangerous. And this is just the beginning.
Europe can no longer assume that its postal hubs are safe. In Russia’s hybrid war, there are no taboo subjects – even sex toys can become weapons.
