Explosive Device and Animal Eyes Sent by Mail to Ukrainian Overseas Missions
Foreign Minister Orders Security Reinforcement... Russia Suspected Behind Incident
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Parcel terror attacks targeting Ukrainian diplomatic missions abroad are occurring across Europe. Deliveries have included letters containing explosive devices as well as mail containing animal eyes. Ukraine suspects Russia to be behind these incidents.
On the 3rd (local time), according to CNN in the United States, a letter containing gunpowder and an electric ignition device capable of igniting it was recently delivered to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. It was similar in form to the explosive device found in a letter delivered to the Ukrainian embassy in Spain at the end of last month. At that time, one embassy staff member was injured in a finger when an explosion occurred as they opened the envelope to check its contents.
On the same day, suspicious mail was also delivered to the headquarters of the military supplier Instalaza in Zaragoza, northeastern Spain, and to the European Union (EU) Satellite Center on the outskirts of Madrid, but security teams and police handled the situation, preventing any damage.
All the mail was investigated to have been sent domestically within Spain. However, a Spanish security official stated that since the investigation is still in its early stages, no premature conclusions should be drawn.
Mysterious mail has also been detected in other European countries. According to major foreign media, packages containing animal eyes were delivered to Ukrainian embassies in Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Croatia, and Italy, as well as to consulates general in Naples (Italy) and Krakow (Poland). The contents were contained in liquids with unique colors and scents. A package delivered to the consulate in Brno, Czech Republic, contained animal tissue, and the entrance to the Vatican embassy residence was also damaged.
Given the situation, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called for investigations and ordered enhanced security measures at all overseas diplomatic missions.
Furthermore, Russia is suspected to be behind the incidents. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated in an interview with CNN, "As diplomatic terror spread across the international community, Russia retaliated in this manner."
He added, "Ultimately, the culprit will be identified through investigation, but these intimidation operations will only make Ukraine stronger and will not stop Ukraine from resisting the Russian invasion."
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