The New York Times reported that the operation involved placing self-igniting packages on planes bound for the U.S. and Canada, with its effectiveness tested over the summer when fires erupted in cargo hangars storing courier shipments in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland.
U.S. warns Russia over sabotage plans on transatlantic flights
Joe Biden then instructed National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and CIA Director William Burns to send a warning to those around Vladimir Putin.
According to The New York Times, Sullivan spoke with Russian President’s security advisor Yuri Ushakov, while Burns had discussions with the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin and the head of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov.
The newspaper emphasizes that the Americans warned the Russians that any sabotage in U.S. airspace or territory would lead to Moscow being accused of terrorism and held accountable for its actions.
Despite ceasefire possibility, Russia expected to continue destabilizing efforts
Biden administration officials believe that, despite avoiding an escalation in the NATO-Russia conflict, the Kremlin will still try to shift the war to other areas, carrying out sabotage activities to avoid direct confrontation with the Alliance.
In 2024, The New York Times observes an increase in such actions and predicts that, regardless of a potential ceasefire, Russia will persist in its attempts to undermine the international order.
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Source: IAR/The New York Times
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