Lithuania Blames Russia for Ikea Arson Attack in Vilnius

Prosecutors in Lithuania have implicated Russia's military intelligence in a recent arson attack on an Ikea store in Vilnius. With two Ukrainian teenagers arrested and connections to systematic sabotage operations in Europe, the accusations highlight ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Lithuanian prosecutors have attributed the arson attack on an Ikea furniture store in Vilnius last year to Russia's military intelligence service, known as the GRU. Prosecutor Arturas Urbelis has described the incident as an act of terrorism, revealing that investigations have uncovered links to Russian security services. In connection with the attack, two Ukrainian suspects have been apprehended—one in Lithuania and the other in Poland.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reacted by affirming Lithuania's assertions, suggesting that the Russian secret services are responsible for similar incidents in both Vilnius and Warsaw. "Good to know before negotiations. Such is the nature of this state," he remarked in a post on social media. Russia has consistently denied allegations from NATO members regarding its involvement in sabotage operations across Europe.

Security experts raise alarms over a series of parcel fires that targeted courier companies in Europe last July, labeling them as a component of a broader “hybrid warfare” strategy intended to destabilize European support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russian invasion that began in February 2022.

The arson incident in Vilnius, despite not resulting in injuries, parallels a similar attack that demolished a large shopping mall in Warsaw around the same time. Prosecutor Urbelis stated that the two arrested suspects, both teenagers, planned to set fires to retail locations in Lithuania and Latvia in exchange for €10,000 ($11,000; £8,400) and a BMW, showcasing the potential for espionage and terrorism to intertwine in the Baltic region's delicate security landscape.