Paris opens probe into fake airline bomb threats with Russian group links
Prosecutors examine coordinated emails targeting European flights, seeking to identify senders and determine if foreign powers orchestrated the disruption.
By Marco Whitaker ·
Paris prosecutors opened a formal investigation this week into a string of false bomb threats that targeted dozens of commercial flights across Europe. The inquiry seeks to identify the authors of the emails and determine if foreign actors orchestrated the campaign.
The Paris prosecutor’s office stated that the primary goal is to assess potential links to external forces. While the disruption affected aviation hubs throughout the continent, several bogus threats specifically concerned flights passing over French territory. No explosives were found in any of the reported incidents to date.
Ireland’s government weighed in on Friday, suggesting the fake bomb claims sent to Irish media outlets were part of a coordinated campaign. Officials indicated these claims appeared linked to the broader series of threats targeting airlines across the region. Authorities noted that the disruption relied heavily on electronic communication rather than physical presence.
One detail in the case involves a signature used in some messages that read 'fighters of the Male State.' This name matches a radical misogynist group based in Russia. The French news agency AFP has not confirmed a direct link between the group and the messages sent to airlines. Vladislav Pozdniakov, the founder of the Russian group, denied any involvement in the recent incidents.
Pozdniakov spoke on social media on Friday, stating that the movement has not existed since 2021. He effectively distanced the organization from the current wave of threats. The French government confirmed that the origin of the threats is under active review. Officials continue to analyze digital footprints and communication patterns to trace the source of the alerts.
The timing of the investigation coincides with a period of heightened sensitivity regarding Russian influence in Europe. Moscow’s war against Ukraine approaches its fifth anniversary, prompting European nations to monitor economic sectors and daily life for signs of interference. Airlines and airport authorities remain on high alert as the probe progresses.
