Russian Hate Group Claims Responsibility for European Flight Bomb Hoaxes

The Male State, a radical right-wing Russian misogynistic hate group, claimed responsibility for a wave of bomb threats targeting flights to Italy on November 5, 2026. In emails sent to three Italian airports, the group vowed to turn the skies red to oppose a feminist regime. The threats led to an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin being diverted to a French airbase in Evreux and a Finnair flight from Helsinki being escorted by the Italian air force to Rome.

These incidents were part of a broader surge of at least 25 hoax threats across Europe, affecting flights in Bulgaria, Spain, Poland, Denmark, and the Czech Republic. In Bulgaria, three Ryanair flights bound for Sofia required military escorts and emergency landings. Similar threats had targeted LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, and Wizz Air earlier in the week. No hazardous materials were found during searches.

UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander characterized the incidents as malicious hoaxes, stating that aviation security processes were followed. European Union Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas activated an information-sharing mechanism on aviation security to coordinate the response. While no government has officially attributed the entire wave of threats, several European officials accused Russia of conducting hybrid attacks and sabotage, while some analysts suggested the hoaxes were intended to stress-test government responses.