European agencies probe Russian link to bomb hoaxes on airlines

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 7 Nov, 11:50 · Archive

European security officials are investigating whether coordinated bomb threats against airlines and news organisations this week originated in Russia. A working hypothesis is that the threats were produced by pro-Kremlin activists or hacking groups, though it is not clear what role, if any, Russian intelligence services may have played.

Newsrooms across Europe evacuated their offices after receiving hoax threats. Irish public broadcaster RTE suspended programming after receiving a threat, and Bulgaria's Nova TV was also targeted. The messages were headlined 'Message to the West' and were sent from a purported 'Mikhail Andropov', who claimed responsibility for hoax threats affecting passenger flights across the continent. The messages portrayed the threats as a prelude to attacks on means of transport across Europe.

Many European officials have accused Russia of a campaign of 'hybrid' or 'grey zone' disruptions. European technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen said that since 2022 Europe had faced hybrid operations including sabotage of critical infrastructure, drone incursions, cyber breaches and election interference. 'We are under attack all the time,' she said.

How it is being reported

• Russia likely behind bomb hoaxes that grounded flights, say European intelligenceNewsrooms around Europe also received hoax threats this week as offices were evacuatedIndependent World · 7 Nov, 11:21
• European security agencies probe whether bomb hoaxes started in RussiaA working hypothesis is that the co-ordinated threats were produced by pro-Kremlin activists or hacking groupsFinancial Times · 7 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Russia · European Union · RTE · Nova TV · Ireland · Bulgaria · Henna Virkkunen

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