The Wall Street Journal reports on a troubling situation, whereby Russia has reportedly been plotting to take down a flight bound for North America, by starting a fire onboard.
In this post:
Russia’s plan to place incendiary devices onto flights
Back in July 2024, incendiary devices ignited at two DHL cargo logistics hubs in Europe, while being shipped by air. Specifically, this happened in Leipzig, Germany, and Birmingham, England. These came in the form of electric massagers implanted with magnesium-based flammable substance, which had been shipped from Lithuania.
Once magnesium ignites, it would be difficult to extinguish with the firefighting systems most planes have. This would require an immediate emergency landing, but as you’d expect, that’s not very practical over the Atlantic. If such a plot were successful, it could have catastrophic consequences, and could cause mass casualties.
Over the past several months, security officials from several countries have been trying to determine who is behind this, given that these devices narrowly avoided catching fire onboard aircraft. They now have an answer — they believe that this is part of a covert Russian scheme to start fires aboard cargo or passenger aircraft flying to the United States and Canada, as part of a sabotage campaign against the United States and its allies.
The July incident is believed to have been a test run to determine the transfer channel for such parcels, to figure out how to get these devices onto flights bound for North America, and how to execute this on a larger scale.
Poland’s National Prosecutor’s Office has announced that four people have been arrested in connection to the scheme, and have been charged with sabotage or terrorist operations on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency. It’s believed that they were working for Russia’s military intelligence agency, known as the GRU.
Not surprisingly, a Kremlin spokesperson denies the allegations — “we have never heard any official accusations,” and “these are traditional unsubstantiated insinuations from the media.”
This is obviously a terrifying prospect
Over the years, we’ve seen terrorists use the aviation industry to wreak havoc, and that goes way beyond 9/11 (more recently, take a look at the downing of MH17, which is also believed to involve Russia). It’s of course good news that this plot was uncovered on the ground, rather than in the air.
With some people having been arrested, hopefully it also means that this type of a plan won’t be used again. Then again, the question comes down to how easily these kinds of devices can be screened for by security officials. If they’re actually very hard to screen for, then this could pose a real threat. I don’t even think about what could happen.
I think it’s important to acknowledge that at least from the perspective of the United States, the airline and travel industry hasn’t really been dealing with much in the way of terror concerns in the past decade, and that’s good, because the industry has had enough challenges.
Major concerns over terrorism — whether we’re talking about terrorism involving flying, or just involving major landmarks at travel destinations — has the ability to greatly impact demand. The airline industry is a tough enough business during the best of times, and anything like this would be absolutely devastating.
Bottom line
In July 2024, two incendiary devices caught fire at DHL cargo facilities in Europe. It has now been determined by investigators that Russia was behind the plot, and that this was a test run to hopefully have these catch fire on a transatlantic flight bound for North America. Hopefully the fact that this plot has been uncovered means that we won’t see this tried again, because it’s the last thing the industry (or the world at large) needs.
This is simply anti-Russian propaganda to scare uninformed Americans. What would Russia gain from taking down a couple of jets headed to the US?
On the other hand, there is an infinitely scarier scenario. The Israelis succeeded in placing explosive material in pagers and small radios and remotely activating them. Imagine if one or more of these devices would have been on board a plane when the activation signal was sent. Obviously if they...
This is simply anti-Russian propaganda to scare uninformed Americans. What would Russia gain from taking down a couple of jets headed to the US?
On the other hand, there is an infinitely scarier scenario. The Israelis succeeded in placing explosive material in pagers and small radios and remotely activating them. Imagine if one or more of these devices would have been on board a plane when the activation signal was sent. Obviously if they can do this with a pager, they can do the same with a cellphone or a laptop. I am much more concerned about this scenario than any Russian plot.
This seems more like fear-mongering aimed at uninformed Americans, portraying Russia as an imminent threat. Realistically, what strategic advantage would Russia gain by targeting a couple of planes bound for the U.S.?
A far more concerning scenario involves the potential for remote-activated explosives. History shows that some groups have successfully hidden explosive devices in items like pagers and small radios, triggering them remotely. Now, think about the risk if such devices, perhaps concealed in a...
This seems more like fear-mongering aimed at uninformed Americans, portraying Russia as an imminent threat. Realistically, what strategic advantage would Russia gain by targeting a couple of planes bound for the U.S.?
A far more concerning scenario involves the potential for remote-activated explosives. History shows that some groups have successfully hidden explosive devices in items like pagers and small radios, triggering them remotely. Now, think about the risk if such devices, perhaps concealed in a cellphone or laptop, were secretly placed on board a flight and then activated. This scenario is a much greater cause for concern than any alleged Russian plot.
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Oh look, the russian bots came immediately! I wonder why...A nation of terrorists acts like terrorists. And there is no such thing as a "good" russian. Apart from those sprouting sunflowers in Ukraine.
Says the dirty whiny Pole - by your stupid logic there is no such thing as a good Polish person as well, you racist idiot. Go back to your 3rd-world shithole economy in Eastern Europe.
Nice
Quite crazy how racist and despicable the rhetoric can be on a travel blog.
This and the Mossad pagers presages a very difficult period for aviation security
The pagers were functional and carefully inspected by Hezbollah (that was suspicious of this attack vector) including x-rays
Outside of some shockingly strict measures, it will become practically impossible to defend against sophisticated forms of this attack
It's an interesting threat considering it might not involve many casualties or be directly connected to the US or UK.
Say a DHL flight leaves EMA bound for the USA and the device activates 2-3 hours into the flight. It is possible the plane would have to ditch in the ocean before diverting to Ireland or Iceland.
They were test runs, using cargo to establish weak points in the chain, once established they could target passenger aircraft.
Is cargo inspected the same as luggage is inspected in passenger aircraft?
Wonder what (if any) security can help screen out this issue. TSA has a bad track record, and I'm reluctant to add security theater, but any package actually making its way onboard would have horrible consequences
TSA has a terrible track record? When was the last security threat or terrorist attack originating from US airports where TSA handles security? Yea thats what I thought....
TSA auditors regularly succeed in smuggling replica firearms, knives, etc., through checkpoints at major airports.
The United States has invested so much time, money, and energy in aviation security theatre, but so little in thinking about how it is that so very, very many people absolutely hate your guts. And no, it's nothing to do with them being "jealous" of your "freedom".
But yet, not one plane has come down due to terrorism or crime since 9/11 originating in the US... Can't say that for the rest of the world.
of course.... still the Russians....
Fake news......
Thanks Putin.
Ben, since this method was caught, likely they'll just try something else. The bad guys only have to be successful once. The good guys have to be successful every time. Thems tough odds....
It’s Russia, are we really surprised?
This is almost as Bad as Israel putting explosives in Cell Phones,Pagers & other electronics which can explode on Planes,etc also. But they get the PASS because they are so called the "Only Democracy: in the ME.
This seems like a very bizarre line to draw; Israel is doing a lot of absolutely detestable stuff up to and including wantonly slaughtering innocent civilians - but the pagers were actual Hezbollah members. How on earth is that worse than trying to down civilian aircraft?
I suppose you decided not to watch the innocent children get Blown off by playing with the pagers,etc? Wait till your loved ones play with one of them. you never know who will be sending them now.
"Innocent children" who got them from their terrorist parents or family. It's not a casualty. It's a bonus.
Israel had absolutely no way of knowing where those pagers were at any given time. They could easily have been aboard a plane.
Furthermore, innocent civilians were injured and killed when these pagers exploded.
Russia is such a loser country. They are 100% trying to influence the US election because they paid off Trump.
Oh my god! what a great analysis!!!
Yeah, that's why they waited until he was gone before doing what they long wanted to do: invade Ukraine. They didn't pull that crap when Trump was in office, did they?
You'd better study history/geography/foreign affairs some more before coming out with more of these brilliant takes.
No because they were already getting everything they wanted from Trump. Biden reversed that cozy relationship and Putin miscalculated Ukraine's resolve.
It's not because Putin feared Trump. It's quite the opposite actually. He saw Trump as a fool he could manipulate.
Kinda hard to believe that anyone thinks the global airline industry hasn’t faced much in terrorism risks in the past decade
Not only is ignorance not bliss, but what you don’t know can kill you
"but what you don’t know can kill you"
Daddy,
Based upon your statement above, and what you post online, how are you still alive?
Are you sure it's the Russians?
The closest plot known is a pager and walkie talkie.
Echo chamber is the new President. Everything on the internet must be true and confirmation bias is not a thing.
To the troops! Both sides.
The commenters of OMAAT never fail to (negatively) amaze me. I'm talking about both sides, by the way...
And yet half the country wants to elect a deranged old man who wants to suck up to the dictator of Russia. What could go wrong?
Calling American supporters a garbage.
Trump called Kamala voters garbage at one of his rallies. But hey, that’s not plastered all over Fox News, so it must not be true right?
And the other half wants to elect an unintelligent woman who has never accomplished anything in her life.
She was Attorney General of California, a United States Senator, and the Vice President. That's a number of achievements, considerably more than a convicted felon and reality TV host who's been credibly accused of sexual assault by 26 women. So far.
Harris is not a great candidate, but Trump is an appalling garbage-fire of a human being who isn't fit to run an outhouse, let alone be President of the United States.
Is that you Mayor Pete?
Except he has been for 4 years and inflation had run rate around 2%, stock market performed, well, economy was good, no wars going on. Who cares if he offends some sensitive liberal.
lmao wut...? When he was president, markets crashed, death was everywhere, and crime was through the roof. Now we've got the world's strongest economy and crime is cratering. Why tf would we go back?
Intentionally neglect to acknowledge that Obama spent eight years popping up the economy post 2008 great recession created by Bush Jr. Future generations and we must pay for "free money" spent bailing out Fortune 500 companies post 2008 and the country post Covid. There was no record of a bustling economy such as low unemployment and inflation in 2020.
I'm not a liberal, I'm an institutional conservative. Trump is a malignantly narcissistic populist who doesn't give a sht about anyone on this planet except himself.
Pete, so the accomplishment is holding the job and not what was done while holding the job?
Kamala was a horrible Attorney General, crime rose sharply during her tenure. She was a horrible United States Senator, she has one of the most radical voting records. And what did she do as Vice President? Exactly, nothing.
> Pete, so the accomplishment is holding the job and not what was done while holding the job?
This is hilarious, from a supporter of a guy who went bankrupt 4 times and screwed up the response to COVID by telling people to inject themselves with bleach.
Even if that’s true, she’s not 80, deranged, and sucking up to Americans enemies because of a narcissistic need for admiration.
Now now...Willie Brown disagrees with the last part of your statement.
If you want to see what happens when someone like Harris gets in to power come and see the carnage Jacinda Ardern wrought on New Zealand. Huge debt, massive racial unrest and declining standards in just about every metric.
Any New Zealander with any ambition is leaving. Ardern has long gone on the international speaking circuit to promote her own brand. She cannot even walk down the street in New Zealand anymore. She was...
If you want to see what happens when someone like Harris gets in to power come and see the carnage Jacinda Ardern wrought on New Zealand. Huge debt, massive racial unrest and declining standards in just about every metric.
Any New Zealander with any ambition is leaving. Ardern has long gone on the international speaking circuit to promote her own brand. She cannot even walk down the street in New Zealand anymore. She was also cuddling up to the Chinese government. Just saying.
Trump wants to suck something on Putin all right.
"I just find it bizarre how many people in the US (and elsewhere) have become apologists for Russia."
It's not that they are apologists for Russia. Most Americans in the USA view Russia as an adversary of the USA and of the west. It's lack of trust in what our government says after it was proven that a candidate / President was falsely accused of Russian collusion during an election. Even though we know this...
"I just find it bizarre how many people in the US (and elsewhere) have become apologists for Russia."
It's not that they are apologists for Russia. Most Americans in the USA view Russia as an adversary of the USA and of the west. It's lack of trust in what our government says after it was proven that a candidate / President was falsely accused of Russian collusion during an election. Even though we know this to be false and it was just a political stunt, it caused mistrust in our government's accusations against Russia. Falsely accusing another nation of trying to interfere with our elections for domestic political gain should never happen. Foe or friend.
But Russia DID interfere in 2016. That's not in doubt. Where have you been Jonathon.
of course. and the USA does not interfere in election!
Putting collusion to the side, it's that the candidate praises Putin, has said that Russia can do whatever the hell it wants with respect to Western Europe, etc. Since leaving office in 2021, that candidate has maintained ongoing communication with Putin personally. As Adolf observed, followers want to simply follow.
Hey, it's our great democracy system that allows us to choose a candidate to represent us.
If you think one candidate is colluding with a foreign government, then vote the other.
And if you're stuck with 2 candidates that nobody seems happy about, then maybe the problem isn't the candidates but the system itself.
Trump did collude with Russia according to the Republican led Senate Intelligence Committee.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/18/us/politics/senate-intelligence-russian-interference-report.html
"It's lack of trust in what our government says after it was proven that a candidate / President was falsely accused of Russian collusion during an election."
Senate findings are here:
https://www.reuters.com/article/world/factbox-key-findings-from-senate-inquiry-into-russian-interference-in-2016-us-idUSKCN25E2OY/
What are you talking about? It was proven that the Russians were offering material assistance to a Presidential candidate. What wasn’t proven was if said candidate knowingly accepted it or just let it happen because of how beneficial it was. The only distrust that exists is because partisan news outlets wanted to distance their preferred candidate because it raises uncomfortable questions why they would want him elected.
The accusations wouldn’t even exist if not...
What are you talking about? It was proven that the Russians were offering material assistance to a Presidential candidate. What wasn’t proven was if said candidate knowingly accepted it or just let it happen because of how beneficial it was. The only distrust that exists is because partisan news outlets wanted to distance their preferred candidate because it raises uncomfortable questions why they would want him elected.
The accusations wouldn’t even exist if not for all the Putin apologism.
We don’t know that to be false! They proved that Russia conducted a concerted effort to get trump elected. It was just difficult to prove if there was active collusion.
What do you mean falsely accusing? We know they’re doing it even now as they have for decades. The inconvenient part is that they like supporting trump because he’s a chaos agent and weakens us. That’s why they like him!
"It's Ukraine's fault! It's Biden's fault! Kamala is the Aviation Safety Tsar!"
-RWNJ's and MAGA Morons
@TravelinPenis
As if the opposite side don't do the same.
Yep , they are all the same really. Watched a Trump rally and a Harris rally. Same. ♂️
Kidding.
TravelinWilly, Do you not agree that any national security threat that is not taken care of is, by definition, blamed on the people in power? I'm not sure why that observation led to your reaction.
Personally I would be slightly skeptical of any news story that comes out 1-3 days before the election -- not necessarily this one though. I understand in France they have a media blackout right before elections for this reason.
And in México, too. I think it is 7 or 14 days before election, no more BS from the press or the candidates. It is assumed that by that timeline everyone knows who she or he will vote fore. Makes for a peaceful, quiet election.
TravelinPenis.
No need to thank me for re-christening you. It's caught on with the readers. No need to thank me, buddy. It was a pleasure and will live on indefinitely..
Day before the election & Russia. Pass.
Ben does really want to increase the traffic.
But remember, that increased traffic might include something explosive, just like what DHL cargo of this article had.
@ Mason -- I'm reporting on what's a major story that could have implications for commercial aviation. But it seems like this rubs you the wrong way because... it points to Russia possibly doing something wrong?
You comment almost exclusively on political matters, so why don't you just come out and say how you really feel about this, then. I just find it bizarre how many people in the US (and elsewhere) have become...
@ Mason -- I'm reporting on what's a major story that could have implications for commercial aviation. But it seems like this rubs you the wrong way because... it points to Russia possibly doing something wrong?
You comment almost exclusively on political matters, so why don't you just come out and say how you really feel about this, then. I just find it bizarre how many people in the US (and elsewhere) have become apologists for Russia. It's a very strange phenomenon.
Why do you even approve these comments in the first place? They don’t add to the discussion.
@Reader
The discussion?
There hasn't been any discussion made on OMAAT about those kind of articles.
It's always either a Democrat or Republican propaganda/conspiracy theory.
I wrote "Democrat or Republican" according to the alphabetical order, in case if anyone's gonna cringe over that.
@Ben Schlappig
No, not really.
If you or anyone else want to me to say my view on this - I'm down: this is just an attempted terrorism, full stop.
Why am I not defending Putin's empire this time?
You can ask Kim Jong Un for the reason.
Also, while I've been most active when it comes to political stuff, I'm sure that I wrote many comments on other aviation stuff...
@Ben Schlappig
No, not really.
If you or anyone else want to me to say my view on this - I'm down: this is just an attempted terrorism, full stop.
Why am I not defending Putin's empire this time?
You can ask Kim Jong Un for the reason.
Also, while I've been most active when it comes to political stuff, I'm sure that I wrote many comments on other aviation stuff as well and you would have noticed that. Or some people just don't want to recognize that because I say the stuff they don't like?
"If you or anyone else want to me to say my view on this..."
Nah. Nobody wants you to share your view on anything. Make silence your byword; you'll be much more popular that way.
@TravelinPenis
Ever heard of a freedom of speech?
Maybe you don't support giving a right to your enemies?
I think you'll have a great time in Russia, North Korea, etc.
Please consider seeking for an asylum.
America and the rest of the world don't need some ret*rds like you.
Hey, TravellnWilly, congrats on becoming the government! Otherwise, you couldn't be infringing on Mason's freedom of speech.
Frank - there is NO freedom of speech in a private business - the constitution only refers to government limits on speech (and even then there can be limits). As a rule you aren't thrown in jail in the US for what you say but that doesn't mean it has to be posted or you can't be fired for saying it. Man I can't believe how many people don't get this concept.
@Ben - In case you didn't realize, times have changed and Wall Street Journal and most of the establishment media is fake news garbage now. If this had been leaked as an Iranian plot, maybe the politicians on all sides in the west would have kept repeating the same and there may be some believers. But the Poles referenced in the story were not clever enough and tried to blame it on Russia. They could...
@Ben - In case you didn't realize, times have changed and Wall Street Journal and most of the establishment media is fake news garbage now. If this had been leaked as an Iranian plot, maybe the politicians on all sides in the west would have kept repeating the same and there may be some believers. But the Poles referenced in the story were not clever enough and tried to blame it on Russia. They could have tried blaming it on North Korea and it would have reached more believers.
Mason you are a bellend + tool
You pretend you are very righteous and as Ben pointed out, you mostly comment on political oriented posts. And in every sense you come off as an egoistic individual who thinks they are above everyone else. But you are not. Your inputs are pretty much as useful as an empty piece of paper
“it would be difficult to extinguish with the firefighting systems most planes have”
Seems like a major safety gap especially in cargo planes? Or is magnesium basically dynamite?
Couldn’t pilots open the cargo hold and suffocate the fire? Especially if over the Atlantic
@ Alec -- I assume that it's the type of substance being used, rather than a fire in general. At least that's the claim from the security experts who are quoted.
If you think that's remotely possible you clearly aren't involved in aviation.
It's not dynamite but magnesium does react violently with water. The temps are so hot it's very difficult to put out.
@Alec -- Class D, or metal based fires, are in a special category because they can use the oxygen in Water or in a Carbon Dioxide to create more of the oxygen it needs to burn. Using water or a CO2 extinguisher on a Class D fire actually feeds the fire, like tossing gasoline on a camp fire. Using sand or a dry powder (not dry chemical) extinguisher is best.
Is there a safety gap? Very good question!
Ukrainian terrorists downed 2 passenger jetliners under the Obama administration.
@ D3kingg -- I'm sorry, but which passenger jets are you talking about? You're including MH17? And if so, you believe it wasn't shot down by Russian-backed forces in Ukraine? Based on what?
I have not seen any conclusive evidence that MH17 was downed by Russians either. There were investigations done by the folks controlling the area where the crash occurred that concluded that a variant of the Buk missile operated by Ukrainian Military was responsible.
On a related note, Who do you think blew up the Nordstream pipelines - the largest industrial sabotage in Europe since WW II and the largest man-made release of greenhouse gases in a single event.
@Vic investigations by Russian controlled authorities. That’s your source? Are you that stupid?
There is every proof it was Russian side because of the manner in which the local authorities acted and how the people involved has just disappeared after their investigations started and they were prosecuted.
"folks controlling the area where the crash occurred" - you mean the russian invaders?
As for the Nordstream - a necessity.
Experience bears out that a rational default perspective on western "official narrative" is that it's likely to be false.
Thank you Vlad
Out of curiosity, how many "D3kingg"s are there? There're you, there's D3Kingg with capital K, and there's D3Kingg Grounded.
This smells fishy. Of course Ben would post an anti trump post right before the elections and blame the Russians. There is absolutely NO evidence the Russians were involved or if this is even a true issue.
What is anti-Trump about this article? Because it's anti-Russia? And I'm pretty sure no undecideds are coming to this blog and thinking wow genius post, I've now made up mind who to vote for.
@ Lleflat19
I was voting for Trump until I read this article. Now I'll be going out to the polls today and voting for Kamala.
How's life in the St Petersburg troll-farm? I bet the days must be getting chilly now. Much better to be inside working at a disinformation factory than dying for the glory of Tsar Vladimir the Terrible in some frozen Ukrainian field, right?
At least there are clean streets and virtually no crime in Russia and Belarus. Can't exactly say the same about America...
@Lieflat No crimes in Russia?? What kool aid have you been drinking?? You sure it is not laced with LSD?
As someone who lived and worked in Moscow, as a consultant working with Aeroflot and S7, during their years of global expansions and new product launches, I can very much attest to a lot of crime that occurs but is not reported publicly.