Lithuanian prosecutors have accused Russia’s military intelligence service GRU of orchestrating an arson attack on an Ikea furniture store in the country’s capital city Vilnius last year. The investigation, led by prosecutor Arturas Urbelis, has identified two Ukrainian suspects, both teenagers, who were paid €10,000 ($11,000; £8,400) and a BMW for their role in setting fire to shops in Lithuania and Latvia.
The attack on the Ikea store did not result in casualties, but it is part of a suspected “hybrid warfare” campaign by Russia aimed at undermining European support for Ukraine’s defense against the Russian invasion. This tactic has been seen in recent parcel fires targeting courier companies in Europe.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has confirmed Lithuania’s suspicions about the involvement of Russian secret services, stating that such information is helpful before negotiations. Russia has denied allegations of sabotage operations across Europe and accused other countries of making unfounded claims.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c757kpk21d9o