The Lithuanian prosecution revealed shocking information about a series of arsons that took place in Warsaw and Vilnius. According to investigative findings, Russian military intelligence is behind these terrorist acts, and direct perpetrators are Ukrainian citizens. The issue takes on an global dimension and cooperation between Polish and Lithuanian law enforcement authorities can bring further revelations.
IKEA arson in Vilnius: Russian background interview
On Monday, the Lithuanian prosecution informed of the indictment of 1 of the perpetrators of the arson of the IKEA store in Vilnius last May. Defendant Ukrainian is to be liable for 3 acts: committing a terrorist act, studying for terrorist purposes and illegal disposal of explosives.
– In the course of the investigation, it was established that the direct perpetrators were 2 young people, up to 20 years old. 1 of them, which we mention to to the court, was a minor," said Artūrs Urbelis, Chief Prosecutor of the Investigation Division on Organized Crime and Corruption of the lawyer General of Lithuania.
According to the D.A., the arson of IKEA in Vilnius was carried out by a insignificant foreigner, acting “in the interests of the military structures and safety services of the Russian Federation, within a pre-established organized terrorist group aimed at committing terrorist offences in Lithuania and Latvia”. After arson, the perpetrator went to Poland, where he was paid for the completed order – BMW 530.
Arson of the fair hall at Marivilska
The Lithuanian prosecution indicates that arson of the fair hall on Marywilska Street in Warsaw is connected with the arson of IKEA in Vilnius. "It is clear that the persons we identified, perpetrators, are seemingly besides active in criminal acts committed in Poland," said Proc. Urbelis.
According to the findings, the accused arrived in Poland in the spring of 2024, where during a secret gathering in Warsaw he undertook to set fire to and blow up buying malls in Lithuania and Latvia. In return, he was to receive EUR 10,000.
– The organizers of these actions are Russia, it is connected with military intelligence, with safety forces," emphasized the prosecutor.
Prime Minister Tusk: ‘Extreme perfidia’
The case of arsons in Warsaw and Vilnius triggered the reaction of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “The Lithuanian prosecution declared that Russian peculiar services were behind arsons in Vilnius and Warsaw (Marigilska). According to our suspicions. As with the effort to set fire to the paint mill in Wrocław, the Russians hired Ukrainian citizens. Exceptional perfidia – wrote the head of the Polish government on X.
The Lithuanian prosecution declared that Russian peculiar services were behind arsons in Vilnius and Warsaw (Marywilska). According to our suspicions. As with the effort to set fire to the paint mill in Wrocław, the Russians hired Ukrainian citizens. It's an exceptional perfidy.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) March 17, 2025
Polish-Lithuanian cooperation in the investigation
As reported, 1 of the defendants is presently in custody in Poland and the law enforcement authorities of both countries cooperate closely. “One of the defendants is presently in custody in Poland, and law enforcement authorities in both countries cooperate with each another and the actions are coordinated”, the Lithuanian prosecutor said.
The case of arsons in Warsaw and Vilnius shows how complicated modern terrorist threats are and how crucial global cooperation in combating them is.
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Ukrainians are liable for the arson of the hall close Maryvilska 44 in Warsaw
