United States authorities claim that Russian intelligence officers were responsible for directing a Russian White supremacist group to conduct a letter-bombing campaign in Spain last year.
The attacks targeted the prime minister, the American and Ukrainian Embassies, and the Spanish defense ministry. Despite the statements made by American officials, Spanish authorities have yet to make any arrests for the horrific attacks that injured one Ukrainian Embassy employee.
Spanish Letter Bombing
One detail revealed was that the attacks were somehow related to Spain's decision to support Kyiv amid its war with Russia. Some details regarding the incidents still need to be clarified, including how the campaign was directed and carried out exactly. Furthermore, it took time to be clear how much knowledge, if any, the Kremlin or Russian President Vladimir Putin had of the attacks.
But US authorities now believe that the bombings were likely made as a warning shot to European governments that gathered to support Ukraine. As per CNN, a US State Department Spokesperson did not comment on the issue, saying that they were matters involving leaked intelligence or active law enforcement investigations.
The spokesperson added that they condemned any attempts by entities seeking to harm and intimidate government officials and foreign embassies. The reveal comes as American officials anticipate Russia to continue hiring proxy groups to drive up fear of potential terrorist attacks.
In 2020, the State Department designated the White supremacist group, the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) as a global terror organization. Authorities believed the group had connections to Russian intelligence agencies and was previously used as a proxy force. However, such accusations were not proven due to a lack of clear observation inside the RIM.
However, the mere possibility of the Russian government having control of a proxy force that appears to be involved in the attacks is likely meant to pressure US President Joe Biden's administration to name Moscow as a state sponsor of terrorism.
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Involvement of Russian Intelligence
In late November and early December of last year, six letter bombs were sent to various sites in Spain, most of which were in Madrid and included the official residence of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, according to the New York Times.
Furthermore, one of the letter bombs was sent to a weapons maker in Zaragoza, Instalaza, in the northeastern parts of Spain. It manufactures grenade launchers that the country provides to Ukraine. Another was sent to the Torrejon de Ardoz Air Base outside of Madrid.
At the time of the incidents, Spanish Deputy Interior Minister Rafael Perez said that the letters were apparently sent from within the country. However, he noted that the conclusion was drawn from early visual inspections and was not based on an in-depth technical report.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles was visiting Ukraine to support another aid package when the letter bomb was sent to her office. Spanish authorities were initially tight-lipped about that particular package, arguing that they did not want to provide Russian forces with sensitive information, said Al Jazeera.
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