This weeks fatal DHL freight aircraft crash in Lithuania aligns with a pattern of incidents throughout Europe earlier this year that were credited to Russia, Germanys highest-ranking military officer said Wednesday.Chief of Defense Carsten Breuer recommended that Russia might have been checking out vulnerabilities when the aircraft crashed near Vilnius airport on Monday.
The crash, which eliminated one crew member, saw the airplane hit several buildings and skid for numerous hundred meters.We already experienced a comparable situation this summer season, and now something happened that fits somewhere into this pattern, Breuer informed the ARD public broadcaster.In July, a series of sparking parcels at logistics depots in Germany and Poland were linked to a supposed Russian sabotage project, aimed at triggering explosions on freight flights.Lithuanian governmental consultant Kestutis Budrys stated earlier this month that those parcel events were likely a test run.
While British, German and Polish authorities are investigating, the Kremlin has dismissed the claims as fake.However, Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas opposed Breuers remarks, stating Wednesday that there were no indications of sabotage in the DHL crash.Kasciunas said visual analysis of the wreckage showed no external impact on the airplane as it attempted to land.
Surviving crew members also rejected any disruptions, such as smoke or uncommon smells, on board prior to the crash.The crash remains under examination, with authorities working to figure out the cause.