Ukrainian diplomatic missions in several countries reported receiving packages that contained blood and items resembling animal eyes. This information came from a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleg Nikolenko.
According to the ministry’s statement shared on social media, embassies in the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, and other locations received parcels described as saturated with a colored liquid and possessing a distinct odor. The ministry is examining the incident as part of a broader threat campaign aimed at Ukrainian diplomats, framing it as intimidation and aggression.
In Brno, a suspicious package prompted a precautionary evacuation of staff as emergency responders were mobilized. Czech authorities later confirmed that the parcels contained animal tissues, though specifics on the exact contents were not disclosed. The items were subsequently forwarded for forensic review.
Further updates indicated that bloody parcels also reached Ukrainian diplomatic posts in Hungary, Croatia, and consulates in Naples, Krakow, and Brno. Security forces are treating these events as connected and part of a coordinated effort against Ukrainian foreign missions.
There were additional incidents, including damage to the entrance of the Ukrainian ambassador’s residence in the Vatican. Messages with alleged mining threats were received at the Ukrainian mission in Kazakhstan, and in the United States, a letter copied from a critical article about Ukraine was delivered. Kyiv suspects a coordinated pattern linking these acts.
Earlier statements from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba noted that threatening letters had been sent to two Ukrainian embassies abroad. Officials did not disclose which missions or the content, but described the communications as precise and deliberate.
The series of attacks began with an explosion at a Kyiv-manned diplomatic site, followed by reports of suspicious shipments. An embassy staff member, acting on suspicion, opened a package in a courtyard area and triggered a blast. A staff member sustained injuries and received hospital care. Local authorities responded, securing the area and engaging counter-terrorism measures. Investigative teams from criminology, animal behavior specialists, and law enforcement worked to determine the nature of the threat and the sender’s intent.
Initial assessments noted the absence of a return address and a mismatch with typical diplomatic mail, contributing to early suspicion among staff. Subsequent investigations have sought to connect the various incidents as parts of a broader assault against Ukraine’s diplomatic presence abroad, with experts and agencies coordinating across borders to identify links and potential perpetrators.
Spanish officials subsequently reported that organizations connected to security and defense, including arms producers and state agencies, appeared to be implicated in related parcel incidents. The overall assessment from authorities suggested a linked sequence of events aimed at destabilizing diplomatic channels and pressuring a national policy through terror and intimidation. Across multiple countries, investigators continue to review evidence and pursue leads to establish a clear, cohesive threat narrative and to prevent further harm. (citation: Ukrainian MFA, national security services; additional context from national investigative agencies)