German officials examine the possibility of sabotage or hybrid warfare behind the tragic cargo plane crash in Lithuania, which killed one and injured others.
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| German Officials Investigate Potential Sabotage in Lithuanian Cargo Plane Crash |
A tragic cargo plane crash in Lithuania on Monday, en route from Leipzig, Germany, has raised suspicions of sabotage or hybrid warfare. The Boeing 737-400, operated by Swiftair under contract with DHL, crashed just a few kilometers from Vilnius Airport, skidding several hundred meters along the ground before crashing into a residential building.
Investigating Possible Links to Hybrid Warfare
German officials are carefully considering the possibility that the plane crash might be connected to hybrid warfare. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed that the authorities are looking into this and emphasized that they would refrain from making any conclusions until a full investigation is completed. He noted that several forms of hybrid warfare are currently being observed in Europe, including disruptions in communication systems and the use of propaganda bots.
Hybrid Warfare: A New Threat
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock raised concerns about a broader strategy of destabilization being employed by hostile actors. She pointed to the increasing number of incidents, such as disrupted GPS signals, and highlighted the fact that these disturbances could point to a concerted effort to destabilize the region. These incidents are believed to be part of a wider effort by Russia to cause instability in Europe.
Lithuanian Response and Investigation
Despite the theories surrounding sabotage, Lithuanian authorities have downplayed the possibility of malicious intent. Prosecutor Arturas Urbelis confirmed on Tuesday that there is no current evidence of sabotage, although he acknowledged that investigations could uncover new details.
Cooperation with International Authorities
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and representatives from Boeing and the US Federal Aviation Administration are assisting with the investigation. The retrieval of the two black boxes, which contain important flight data, will help authorities determine the exact cause of the crash. Surveillance footage from a nearby camera showed the aircraft descending before a fireball erupted into the sky, marking the moment of the crash.
Casualties and Survival
One crew member tragically lost their life in the incident. However, three other crew members, including the pilot, survived. Thankfully, all twelve residents of the affected house were safely evacuated. The swift action of local authorities prevented further casualties, and Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas confirmed that the plane narrowly avoided causing a disaster by impacting a nearby courtyard rather than a residential structure.
Concerns About Terrorism and Hybrid Warfare
Lithuania’s Counter-Intelligence Chief, Darius Jauniskis, expressed concern that the crash could be linked to terrorism, but he reiterated that more information was needed before assigning blame. This incident follows recent reports about possible covert Russian operations targeting cargo flights, as highlighted by the Wall Street Journal. These operations allegedly aimed to cause fires on cargo flights traveling to the US and Canada.
Russian Military Operations: Unconventional Tactics
Following the Wall Street Journal's report, Kestutis Budrys, a national security adviser to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, suggested that the crash could be part of a larger Russian strategy of unconventional kinetic operations. These operations have reportedly been aimed at damaging infrastructure and could potentially result in loss of life. The Russian government, however, has denied these claims, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling the allegations "unintelligible hoaxes."
Swiftair's Role and Ongoing Investigation
The plane involved in the crash was identified as a Swiftair-operated Boeing 737-400 under a DHL contract. The aircraft made a forced landing about one kilometer from Vilnius Airport. DHL has confirmed that the cause of the incident is still undetermined and has assured the public that a thorough investigation is in progress. The incident highlights the vulnerability of cargo flights in the context of rising geopolitical tensions.
Technical Malfunction or Human Error?
While Lithuanian police chief Arūnas Paulauskas suggested that the crash could have been due to a technical malfunction or human error, he also acknowledged that the possibility of terrorism couldn't be ruled out. Investigations into both the technical aspects of the crash and potential criminal activity are ongoing.
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