On Wednesday, an employee of the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid was lightly injured when a letter bomb exploded. Officials say the defence minister was among the other targets. Another device was also sent to the US embassy.
It is thought the bombs could be linked to Spain’s support for Ukraine, but no-one has yet claimed to have sent them. Russia – which invaded Ukraine in February – has condemned any “terrorist” activity, saying such threats or acts were “totally reprehensible”.
On Thursday afternoon, Spanish police confirmed to the Reuters news agency that an envelope similar to previous letter bombs had been intercepted at the US embassy in Madrid. The Spanish government earlier said that explosive devices had been sent to five targets. A source close to the investigation told Reuters that all of the devices were sent in brown envelopes, and comprised loose gunpowder with an electrical ignition mechanism. There is speculation that the bombs are connected to Spain’s strident support for Ukraine during its war with Russia.