Mysterious arson spree ignites tension between Russia, Ukraine
Series of incidents in Russia. According to media reports, "several incidents involving pyrotechnic materials" in Moscow have occurred. 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 Molotov cocktails.
In Russia, there were about 20 cases of arson and explosions in one week. Most frequently, people set fire to Sberbank ATMs.
Series of arsons, explosions, and incidents
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs reports that the suspects act on orders from "unknown individuals" with whom they contacted by phone or through online messengers. The police refer to them as "foreign supervisors," suggesting that Ukrainian services are behind the attacks.
On Saturday, the media reported a series of incidents.
The first one took place at the "Fort" shopping center in the Otradnoye district. A retired woman set off fireworks there, causing panic among visitors. During questioning, the woman stated that she had transferred 120,000 rubles to "Ukrainian scammers" who allegedly forced her to set off the pyrotechnics. As a result, shops in the shopping center were closed, and visitors were evacuated.
In Korolyov, near Moscow, a 63-year-old man set off fireworks in a resident service center (MFC) located in the "Helios" shopping mall. No one was injured, but windows were damaged, and the ceiling caught fire.
The man then attempted a similar "performance" at a police station but was apprehended immediately.
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 might also have been caused by pyrotechnic materials.
Russian media have published recordings of the moment the ATMs were set on fire. They show a retired woman who—presumably—first doused the area with gasoline and then clumsily set it on fire.
An explosion occurred. The woman's condition is unknown. It is possible that pyrotechnic materials were also present in the room.
In the Leningrad region, meanwhile, a man bombarded the post office with Molotov cocktails. The 32-year-old arsonist claimed he was urged to do it by "Ukrainian supervisors."
Wave of arsons and mysterious phone calls
On December 20, two ATM arsons were recorded in Moscow, which—according to Mash—were allegedly carried out "on the orders of Ukrainian call centers." One of the incidents took place in Tushino, 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 fireworks. According to Mash, "Ukrainian scammers" extorted 600,000 rubles from him, prompting him to commit the act.
