Lithuanian law enforcement authorities have identified two suspects in an attempted arson attack on ground infrastructure of the Starlink satellite communications system in Vilnius. Both men are already in custody in Germany in connection with a similar attack in Bulgaria.

The Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau reported this on October 29. Details of the investigation were also presented at a press conference in Vilnius.

According to investigators, the suspects are permanent residents of Germany and hold dual citizenship. One is a citizen of Germany and Turkey, the other of Germany and Serbia. Both are around 20 years old.

Investigators established that the men arrived in Lithuania on the eve of the attack on October 18 and left the country immediately afterwards. Deputy head of the Lithuanian Criminal Police Saulius Briginas stated that the suspects had no ties to Lithuania and arrived specifically to commit the crime.

The attempted arson occurred on the premises of a company hosting equipment belonging to American SpaceX. Thanks to prompt actions by security, the fire was extinguished and the Starlink infrastructure continued to operate.

On October 27, the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor's Office officially recognized both men as suspects under several articles of the criminal code. These include forming an organized terrorist group, participating in its activities, traveling with terrorist purposes, and committing a terrorist act that could have led to grave consequences.

The investigation spans several European countries. The suspects were detained in Germany based on European arrest warrants issued by Bulgaria. There they are suspected of a similar attack on Starlink equipment.

Lithuanian law enforcement is also examining possible links of these individuals to sabotage in Poland. According to BNS, the detainees may have been involved in organizing an attack on Polish infrastructure, although they did not directly participate in the arson. Cooperation between investigative authorities of Lithuania, Germany, Bulgaria, and Poland is ongoing.

Lithuanian authorities view attacks on satellite infrastructure as a possible part of Russia's hybrid operations. After the incident on October 18, Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius stated probable Russian involvement. However, the investigation has not yet presented final evidence of who organized and ordered these crimes.

The Starlink satellite network is of great importance to Ukraine, including for providing communications for the Defense Forces. Lithuanian police emphasized separately that investigating attacks on critical infrastructure and companies supporting Ukraine is one of the national security priorities.

The question of transferring the detainees to Lithuanian law enforcement will be decided at later stages of the investigation. Final charges and possible responsibility of the suspects must be established by a court.

Based on materials from: Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau, ELTA, BNS.