Putin feared to be behind Paris chaos as huge network paralysed for entire weekend
Paris' train lines have been hit by an arson attack sparking concerns it's intended to sabotage the Olympics.
Paris' rail network has been paralysed for the weekend following an arson attack, prompting fears Russia could be behind it.
Several high-speed rail lines around the capital have been hit by vandals, with incendiary devices placed on SNCF’s routes. This is causing chaos in Paris’ public transport with delays, cancellations and diversions leaving over 800,000 affected.
It is also not a good time for such a disaster with the Olympics opening ceremony taking place tonight with a procession on the River Seine.
While no group or individual has claimed responsibility - and French authorities are yet to name suspects - experts have suggested a correlation between acts of sabotage and Russian fury over their national team being excluded from the games.
Security analyst Alex Kokcharov told MailOnline: “Russia has both the intent and capability to attempt sabotage acts in Europe, especially in France. Russian intent is largely linked to the fact that Russia was not invited to the Olympic games.”
Moscow has reportedly made “thousands” of attempts to interfere with European rail networks in a campaign to destabilise the EU and sabotage infrastructure.
Perturbations et sabotages sur plusieurs lignes de trains : la #SNCF victime d’une « attaque massive pour paralyser le réseau » ; La gare #Montparnasse paralysée, et à la #gareduNord, aucun train entre #Lille et #Paris#JeuxOlympiques #JOParis2024 pic.twitter.com/rex1ag3wr3
— Dan Konig (@DanKonig5) July 26, 2024
The claims were made by the Czech Republic's transport minister Martin Kupka, who told the FT that “thousands of attempts to weaken our systems” had been made since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“We are obviously in a situation of conflict with Russia, and Russia is obviously not going to do anything, and that is an understatement, to help these Olympic Games be a success,” he told LCI.
“And so we're going to come up against a lot of difficulties of this kind, either direct or indirect.”
But despite the suspicions, the head of French police earlier today said they were looking at ultra radical left groups due to their modus operandi and would not blame Russia for the time being.
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The dramatic start to the games comes after a reality TV star and alleged Russian spy was arrested on Wednesday (July 24).
Kirill Gryaznov was charged with working “with a foreign power to try and incite hostilities in France” after being identified as working for the FSB, Vladimir Putin's domestic intelligence agency.
The Kremlin is reportedly furious and has demanded an explanation from France. Passengers using affected lines and companies have been advised not to travel today by SNCF and Eurostar, causing huge queues at London St Pancras and across France.
The International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach has said he has 'full confidence in French authorities' after the attacks.
