Russia rocked by wave of pyrotechnic attacks and arson
Series of incidents in Russia. According to media reports, there have been "several incidents involving pyrotechnic materials" in Moscow. An explosion occurred at a branch of the Russian Sberbank in St. Petersburg. Fireworks were set off at a post office in Khimki, and in the Leningrad region, a man "bombarded" the post office with petrol bombs.
In Russia, there were about 20 cases of arson and explosions in a week. Most often, people set fire to Sberbank cash machines.
Series of arsons, explosions, and incidents
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs reports that the suspects act on the orders of "unknown individuals" with whom they contacted by phone or through online messaging services. The police refer to them as "foreign supervisors," suggesting that Ukrainian services might be behind the attacks.
On Saturday, the media reported a series of cases.
The first incident took place at the "Fort" shopping centre in the Otradnoye district. A retired woman set off fireworks there, causing panic amongst visitors. During questioning, the woman testified that she transferred approximately £1,200 to "Ukrainian scammers" who allegedly coerced her into setting off the pyrotechnics. As a result of the incident, shops in the shopping centre were closed, and visitors were evacuated.
In Korolyov, near Moscow, a 63-year-old man set off fireworks in a resident service centre (MFC) located in the "Helios" shopping mall. No one was injured, but windows were damaged, and the ceiling caught fire.
The man then attempted to repeat this "performance" at a police station but was apprehended on the spot.
Another incident occurred in Khimki, where an unknown individual set off fireworks at the "Russian Post" branch. According to Shot, the perpetrator fled the scene. No one was injured, and more severe damage was avoided.
Meanwhile, in St. Petersburg, in the Krasnogvardeysky district, an explosion took place at a Sberbank branch.
According to Shot, the incident may also have been caused by pyrotechnic materials.
Russian media have published recordings of the moment the cash machines were set on fire. They show a retired woman who – allegedly – first doused the area with petrol and then clumsily set it alight.
An explosion occurred. Her condition is unknown. It is possible that additional pyrotechnic materials were also present in the room.
In the Leningrad region, a man bombarded the post office with petrol bombs. The 32-year-old arsonist claimed he was urged to do it by "Ukrainian supervisors."
Wave of arsons and mysterious phone calls
On 20th December, two cash machines were set on fire in Moscow, which – according to Mash – were allegedly carried out "on the orders of Ukrainian call centres." One of the incidents occurred in Tushino, and the other at a bank on Korovinskaya Street.
The day before, a similar incident happened on Klyazminskaya Street. Additionally, at a bank in the town of Zheleznodorozhny, a 19-year-old student set off a fireworks installation. According to Mash, "Ukrainian scammers" extorted approximately £6,000 from him, after which the young man committed the act.
