Ikea in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Lituan investigation “confirmed suspicions that those responsible for the fire centers fire in Vilnius and Warsaw are the Russian secret services.” Russia denies both attacks.
Lithuania is accusing the Russian Military Intelligence Agency, GRU, of provoking FIRE IN IKEA STOREwhich launched in Vilnius on May 9 last year.
Lithuanian prosecutors believe the store was targeted by the Russians due to its blue and yellow logo: the same colors found on the Ukraine flag, invaded by Kremlin for over three years.
The fire triggered only three days before a large shopping center was also consumed by the flames in neighboring Poland. Polish authorities have also admitted that the Warsaw fire may have been part of a Russian sabotage campaign.
The Lithuanian Prosecutor Arthur Urbel On Monday said the Lithuanian investigation “confirmed suspicions that those responsible for the fire centers fire in Vilnius and Warsaw are the Russian secret services,” through a complex network of over 20 intermediaries.
“The chain includes organizers, then more organizers for certain goals, then more intermediaries, even perpetrators. It is a very complex systemWith several phases, ”he told reporters, adding that the store was not chosen at random.
Ikea suspended its activities in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine and “the colors of Ikea are the same as the Ukrainian flag, which has a strong symbolic meaning,” said the prosecutor.
The attack was carried out with a programmed detonatorbut quickly contained. Two Ukrainian citizens – one of them underage, at the time – will have been recruited for work, in 10 thousand euros and a used BMW. According to the prosecutor, several trips from Poland to Lithuania to plan the attack. One of them was arrested in Lithuania, while the other was detained in Poland. Both are now awaiting judgment on their countries.
The Lithuanian investigation seems to corroborate the suspicions raised by the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tuskregarding Russia’s involvement in the May 12 fire that destroyed the Marywilska 44 shopping center in Warsaw. Tusk welcomed the conclusions of Lithuania, stating that they confirm the concerns that Russian secret services would be behind the attacks in both countries.
The Swedish Giant of Furniture recognized the ongoing investigation, but did not comment on the allegations.
Russia denies involvement in both attacks and accuses Western governments to feed anti-Russian feeling. GRU did not comment on the allegations, according to the agency.
