Expert on bomb threats: We can expect more

 

Albin Almqvist

 

Published 19:47

Aircraft across Europe have been targeted by bomb threats.

According to terrorism expert Hans Brun, this could just be the beginning.

“We should expect to see more of these various types of disruptions moving forward,” he says.

At least 18 aircraft have been subjected to bomb threats in various locations across Europe today, according to AFP.

Two of the planes were en route to Rome and were forced to make emergency landings earlier in the day.

Italian authorities told the BBC that air traffic control received an email threatening that the sky would be “painted red with explosions.”

The threat was signed by a Russian group called “Warriors of the Men’s State.”

Terrorism expert Hans Brun is not surprised that the threat originates from Russia.

“I believe this could even be state-sponsored. It is easy to recruit actors like this group to carry out such actions.”

“Russia doesn’t want to get caught with its hand in the cookie jar,” Brun continues.

“Hybrid warfare”

Brun suggests that Russia is under pressure in its war against Ukraine, and that this type of sabotage could be a way to destabilize Europe without launching a direct attack.

However, this is not limited to threats against aviation. The terrorism expert also points to recent hacker attacks targeting refrigeration units in grocery stores as an example.

“It’s a form of hybrid warfare. They keep a safe distance, yet manage to cause significant disruption and widespread anxiety among the population,” says Brun.

So far, no Swedish aircraft have been affected. However, the authorities are monitoring the situation.

The Swedish Security Service (Säpo) tells *Aftonbladet* that they have “taken note of the information,” but they decline to provide further details on how they are handling the bomb threats.

“We are monitoring the situation as part of our ongoing intelligence work. However, in terms of investigations, it is the authorities in other countries who are looking into this,” says Gabriel Wernstedt, a press spokesperson for Säpo.

More acts of sabotage possible

Swedavia is also monitoring developments in Europe.

“Safety and security are always our top priority. Naturally, we are closely following the situation in Europe in dialogue with Swedish and European authorities,” writes Susanne Norman, the company’s Director of Operations, in an email.

Hans Brun believes there may be reason to prepare for further acts of sabotage of this nature.

“If we assume that the state actor Russia is involved, then I think we must expect the public to experience significantly more disruptions of various kinds going forward—precisely because Russia is feeling cornered.”

All of the bomb threats have turned out to be hoaxes.