Terror suspect who triggered ‘Mother of Satan’ bomb in a Paris airport hotel is ‘Russian soldier who wanted to target companies supplying weapons to Ukraine’
A suspected terrorist who detonated a bomb in a Paris hotel room is an ex-Russian soldier who wanted to target French companies supplying weapons to Ukraine, it has been claimed.
The 26-year-old, who has not been named, was taken into custody at the headquarters of France’s domestic intelligence service on Thursday.
The terror suspect, who is originally from the war-torn Donbas region Ukrainesuffered injuries to the face and arms after igniting TATP – an explosive that ISIS and Al-Qaeda – at the B&B Hotel at Charles de Gaulle Airport on Monday afternoon.
On Thursday, a source close to the investigation confirmed that he “has been fighting with the Russian military in Ukraine in recent months.”
‘He recently arrived in France traveling on both Russian and Ukrainian passports, while also carrying passports from other countries.
“There is evidence that he produced improvised bombs to attack companies supplying weapons to Ukraine.”
A photo of one of the improvised explosive devices produced by a suspected Russian-Ukrainian terrorist arrested in Paris on Monday after an explosion
The airport suspect suffered serious burns to his face and an arm after igniting Triacetone Triperoxide in an £80 room at the B&B Hotel, within the perimeter of Charles De Gaulle Airport, the largest in France.
The B&B Hotel, which is located within the airport perimeter, was immediately evacuated following the incident and remained closed on Wednesday
The explosion at Charles de Gaulle led to the arrest of the 26-year-old, who has still not been named.
It happened on Monday afternoon, just two days before world leaders, including the US president Joe Biden flew to the French capital in time for the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The airport suspect suffered serious burns to his face and an arm after igniting Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) in an £80 room at the B&B Hotel, within the perimeter of the airport, France’s largest.
The chemicals were used by ISIS suicide bombers in the Paris attacks in November 2015, which killed 130 people, and also by the Manchester Arena bomber in 2017, when 22 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured.
Terrorist groups behind such attacks, including ISIS and Al-Qaeda, often refer to TATP as “Mother of Satan.”
Details of the latest blast in Paris were released on the day US President Joe Biden flew to the French capital in time for the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Other world leaders set to join Biden and French head of state Emmanuel Macron include King Charles and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Despite his injuries, the suspect was able to communicate with officers of the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI). France‘s domestic security service.
Anti-terrorism prosecutors were also notified and a formal investigation was opened into a variety of alleged crimes.
“Initial findings revealed products and materials intended for the manufacture of explosives on site,” a source at France’s national anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office told news channel BFMTV.
A suspected Russian-Ukrainian terrorist has been arrested in Paris after causing an explosion near the city’s main airport, Charles de Gaulle (file photo)
The explosion occurred Monday at an airport hotel in Roissy-en-France, which was evacuated and then closed. Pictured: A French police officer stands guard at Charles de Gaulle Airport during a recent unveiling ceremony ahead of the Olympic Games taking place in Paris this summer
“One of the improvised explosive devices exploded. The hotel had to be evacuated.
“The man, of Russian and Ukrainian nationality, who was conscious despite his injuries, explained to investigators that he had been building homemade cell phone batteries when one of them exploded.”
Multiple security sources later confirmed that traces of TATP had been found at the B&B Hotel.
The batteries were covered in plastic, with a match, powder and barbecue lighter in a package, the same sources said.
On Wednesday, calls to the hotel, which is a short walk from all Charles de Gaulle terminals, went unanswered.
In addition to improvised bomb-making equipment, DGSI investigators also found “several passports” in the man’s luggage.
The two-star B&B tourist hotel – one commonly used by British travelers – was immediately evacuated and remained closed on Wednesday.
It features 226 non-smoking, air-conditioned rooms and describes itself as a ‘cheap and well-located hotel with 24-hour check-in’.
The advertising states that it is ‘very close to the largest French and Parisian airports, so no more risk of missing your flight’.
According to another investigative source, the suspect arrived in France ‘very recently’ and booked the B&B Hotel under his own name.
The suspect is reportedly recovering well from his injuries and is cooperating with authorities.
Counter-terrorism prosecutors have confirmed that they have opened an investigation into “participation in a terrorist criminal association with a view to preparing crimes such as attacks on persons, possession of an incendiary or explosive substance or product or of elements intended to to assemble an explosive device for the purpose of preparing destruction and harm to people in connection with a terrorist enterprise.’
There have been numerous high-level warnings of possible Russian attacks on European territory during the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
President Joe Biden steps off Air Force One on Wednesday as he lands at Orly Airport in Paris, just two days after an explosion occurred at Charles de Gaulle Airport
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, just two days before world leaders including US President Joe Biden flew to the French capital in time for the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Pictured: President Joe Biden is welcomed by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal (left) at Orly Airport in Paris
Vladimir Putin has been accused of stepping up espionage efforts against Europe in a more aggressive and coordinated manner
Last month the FT reported oneAt least three European governments have received information that Russia is increasing its sabotage efforts in a more aggressive and coordinated manner.
Intelligence officials believe that Russian agents have begun preparations for covert bombings and arson of European infrastructure without concern for civilian fatalities.
They are also willing to use proxies or carry out attacks themselves.
Russia is notorious for its strong espionage capabilities and has been caught supporting or directly participating in anti-European incidents that have put the lives of many, including senior politicians, at risk.
The arrest in Paris follows Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s warning that Moscow-led agents are plotting atrocities in Europe.
In May, Mr Tusk said nine people had been arrested for allegedly planning acts of sabotage in EU member states in collaboration with Russian intelligence.
He said those arrested were Belarusian, Polish and Ukrainian nationals, possibly recruited from organized crime groups.
All were accused of ‘assault, arson and attempted arson’, and were ‘directly involved in acts of sabotage in Poland on behalf of the Russian services’.
They were also suspected of planning attacks in Lithuania, Latvia and possibly Sweden, he said.
Multiple European intelligence agencies have also warned their governments that Russia was planning violent actions across the continent.
