German military suspects Russian involvement in DHL plane crash
The DHL cargo plane crash in Vilnius on Nov. 25 may have been a "test" by Russia to probe weaknesses, German Defense Chief, General Carsten Breuer, said, Die Welt reported on Nov. 27.
His statement follows earlier incidents, reported by The Wall Street Journal, at DHL logistics hubs in Leipzig and Birmingham, involving unconventional incendiary devices, which were linked to broader Russian sabotage efforts.
European intelligence agencies suspect these actions are part of a larger strategy by Russia to disrupt critical infrastructure and test Western defenses.
"We encountered a similar situation earlier this year, and now something has occurred that fits this pattern," Breuer said, suggesting that the Kremlin might be "checking vulnerabilities."
Breuer described the situation created by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin as "neither full peace nor open war," aimed at testing how far boundaries can be pushed.
Breuer also highlighted Europe’s defense challenges, noting that NATO’s five largest European members collectively produce far fewer tanks annually than Russia.
He emphasized that Europe, and especially Germany, must take greater responsibility for its defense, as U.S. support under leaders like Donald Trump could be uncertain.
The investigation into the crash continues, with Lithuanian authorities analyzing the plane’s flight recorders and voice data to determine the cause. German, Spanish, and U.S. experts are expected to join the inquiry.
The crash, involving a Swift Air plane chartered by DHL en route from Leipzig, occurred near a residential area in Vilnius. Four people were onboard; two were injured, one died, and one survived with minor injuries. Lithuanian officials have initially attributed the crash to technical issues.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
