Police identify two suspects in attempted Starlink arson in Vilnius

Lithuanian authorities have identified two men suspected of trying to set fire to Starlink equipment at a company in Vilnius on October 18. Both are being held in Germany, LRT reported.

Deputy chief of the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau Saulius Briginas said at a news conference on Thursday that the suspects are foreign nationals who live in Germany. One holds Turkish and German citizenship, while the other is a citizen of Serbia and Germany. Authorities suspect possible links to Russia.

Police say the men had no known connections to Lithuania. They arrived in the country the day before the incident and left afterwards. The attempted arson did not disrupt the company’s operations; the firm had been warned of possible threats.

A fire broke out at the company’s fenced premises on Jurgis Tiškevičius Street, in Vilnius, at about 2.30am. Employees extinguished it before firefighters arrived. Briginas said a security worker’s quick response prevented the equipment from being destroyed.

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said the company provides Starlink connectivity through nine satellite antennas used by Ukraine. He described the incident as potentially linked to Russia’s hybrid warfare and noted that similar attacks had previously taken place in Poland and Bulgaria.

Police opened an investigation into property damage by a method dangerous to the public. Briginas said investigators were working with international partners and intelligence agencies.

Tags: Lithuania, Vilnius, Starlink