Lithuania Alleges Russia's GRU Orchestrated 2024 Arson Campaign Targeting Supplier to Ukraine

Lithuanian authorities on Jan. 16 said Russia's GRU military intelligence directed a series of attempted arson attacks in 2024 against a factory that supplies radio‑wave scanners to Ukraine's armed forces.

Senior prosecutor Arturas Urbelis told reporters that six people — nationals of Spain, Colombia, Cuba, Russia and Belarus — have been arrested and charged in connection with the incidents. Each faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

“The crimes were coordinated, and orders were issued to the perpetrators by a group of people living in Russia, who are connected with Russia's GRU,” said Saulius Briginas, Deputy Chief of Lithuania's Criminal Police, at the briefing.

Investigators said the cell that organised the operation comprised Colombian and Cuban citizens residing in Russia. Authorities allege the same group attempted similar arson attacks in Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic, targeting infrastructure and public facilities.

Alleged Targets and Pattern of Attacks

According to prosecutors, the suspected plot included attempts on:

• Oil infrastructure in Romania
• Construction warehouses in Poland
• Buses, a post office and a cinema in the Czech Republic
• The Lithuanian plant producing radio‑wave scanners used by Ukraine's military

Authorities said the operatives were paid between €5,000 and €10,000 for their actions, and that financial reward was the primary motive cited by prosecutors.

Lithuania has issued international arrest warrants for three more suspects and is seeking the extradition of a fourth individual who has been detained in Colombia. Officials added that all six arrested had links to Russia — they had studied, travelled there or maintained acquaintances in the country.

Reaction and Context

There was no immediate comment from Moscow. Russia has repeatedly denied responsibility for sabotage and covert operations in the region since its full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Lithuania previously blamed Russia for an attempted arson attack on an IKEA shopping centre. Polish prosecutors last month charged a Russian national in absentia with directing a group of saboteurs and spies in what investigators say was an effort to undermine Warsaw's support for Ukraine. Moscow has dismissed such accusations as politically motivated and has accused the West of stoking anti‑Russian sentiment.

Lithuanian officials say the ongoing investigation aims to disrupt a broader cross‑border sabotage campaign and to bring additional suspects to justice through international cooperation.