The thriller of the investigation and the involvement of Ukrnafta in financing the Swiss company...
The Ukrainian war reached the heart of Europe in the most unexpected manner, as a massive blaze that broke out at the facilities of Swiss weapon systems manufacturer Brügger & Thomet (B&T AG), in the city of Thun, is being investigated as a potential arson attack, adding to a recent series of fires and explosions at European defense industry facilities linked to the military supply chain of Ukraine, according to a report by South Front on November 5.
Specifically, the fire erupted in the early morning hours of October 29 at a building of B&T on Tempelstrasse.
When firefighting units arrived, the premises were already completely engulfed in flames, while the fire was brought under control later that afternoon.
According to the police of the canton of Bern, no injuries were reported.
Arson investigations and 25 million dollar damages
Police authorities announced that arson represents the prevailing hypothesis for the causes of the fire and appealed to potential witnesses to provide information.
So far, no suspects have been identified nor has any motive been established.
The owner of B&T, Karl Brügger, estimated the financial damages between 12 and 20 million Swiss francs, an amount corresponding roughly to 15 to 25 million dollars.
??Feu de joie en Suisse L’entreprise qui fabrique les LBD de la police française ravagée par un incendie, la piste criminelle privilégiée. Un important incendie s’est déclaré dans la nuit du mercredi 28 au jeudi 29 octobre le siège d'une entreprise d'armement située à Thoune, au sud de Berne, en Suisse, rapporte Le Parisien. Le site appartient à l’entreprise Brugger & Thomet (B&T AG), connue pour fabriquer des lanceurs de balles de défense (LBD) utilisés par la police française. Selon la police cantonale de Berne, les secours ont été alertés à 3 h 10 du matin. Sur place, les pompiers ont découvert un bâtiment entièrement embrasé. Ils sont finalement parvenus à maîtriser les flammes et aucun blessé n’a été signalé. Une enquête a été ouverte pour déterminer l’origine du sinistre et évaluer les dégâts. Vendredi, le procureur régional de l'Oberland a indiqué que « la piste criminelle est actuellement privilégiée ». Source : https://t.co/0r2gtLtyuF
— sergio-dde?? (@sergiodde) November 4, 2026
A video circulated anonymously on French activist websites appeared to include a claim of responsibility for the attack, citing the production by B&T of the GL-06 grenade launcher, also known as the LBD40, which launches rubber projectiles and has been used by French police against protesters.
Swiss B&T AG sent weapons to the Ukrainian army
The authenticity of this specific claim has not been confirmed.
B&T also possesses a documented history of weapon systems exports to Ukraine.
The company has confirmed that in 2012 it supplied Ukrainian authorities with GL-06 launchers and APR precision rifles for security operations in the context of the European Football Championship, with the deliveries having been approved by Swiss authorities.
Since then, its weapon systems technology has also been integrated into the domestically produced Ukrainian arsenal.
In November 2023, Ukrainian oil company Ukrnafta announced that it financed the procurement of 100 single-shot grenade launchers, which had been developed by B&T but were manufactured in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian FORT-600A launcher is a licensed production variant of the Swiss GL-06.
Pan-European barrage of strikes on arms facilities supplying Kyiv
The fire occurred amid a series of incidents that have struck European defense industry facilities connected to Ukraine.
In August and September, fires and explosions occurred at ammunition storage facilities of Bulgarian weapon systems manufacturer EMCO, whose products are supplied to Ukraine.
The company maintained that this was sabotage, while Bulgarian authorities investigated both the possibility of external interference and issues related to safety and storage conditions.
Also in August, Poland initiated an investigation into a potential terrorist act regarding a fire at a facility of WB Electronics, where components for unmanned aerial vehicles delivered to Ukrainian forces are manufactured.
Subsequently, Estonia concluded that an arson attack carried out in August against a building used by Milrem Robotics, a manufacturer of unmanned ground vehicles supplied to Ukraine, constituted an act of sabotage.
The explosion at an ammunition production facility in Italy
It is highlighted that on August 13, a shocking, large-scale explosion occurred at a medium- and large-caliber ammunition production facility near Rome.
Specifically, a major blast took place at the former Sammel Difesa plant, owned by KNDS Ammo Italy, which forms part of Franco-German group KNDS, according to Italian ANSA.
Several firefighting crews operated at the scene, but extinguishing the fire was exceptionally difficult.
Initial reports indicated that there were no injuries from the incident.
Firefighters attempted to prevent the spread of the blaze to adjacent areas.
It is noted that the causes of the fire remain unclear.
Rescuers estimated that the incident occurred in the gunpowder pressing unit.
Due to record-breaking heat, fire danger remains elevated.
According to Sky TG-24, the KNDS group is one of the leading companies supplying artillery and ammunition for European military support to Ukraine.
The plant of KNDS Ammo Italy specializes in manufacturing ammunition for European ground defense, including manned and unmanned systems, according to the company website.
How the KNDS Italia plant is linked to the war in Ukraine
The link between the KNDS plant and the war in Ukraine is illuminated in a new publication by South Front.
Specifically, KNDS Ammo Italy, the Italian ammunition branch of Franco-German defense group KNDS, expanded production capacity across several of its plants, including the one located in Colleferro, following the launch of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine.
A large explosion tore through the KNDS Ammo Italy munitions plant in Colleferro, south of Rome. The blast started in the powder pressing department and was heard for kilometers. https://t.co/35kZ1XiPsw
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) August 13, 2026
Bulgarian EMCO plant supplying weapons to Ukrainian army blown up
Three days earlier, near the Bulgarian town of Tryavna, a major explosion occurred at an ammunition depot belonging to an arms plant that supplies equipment to the Ukrainian army, as reported on August 10 by Russian Top Reporter.
As local authorities report, the incident began with the ignition of projectiles on a truck.
Detonation subsequently occurred and flames spread to the arsenal building.
Secondary explosions followed at the site.
The explosion and fire occurred at the military plant.
The area of the incident was cordoned off, while the local population received an emergency hazard warning, stated the head of the municipal authority, Dencho Minev.
Deadly explosion at NATO port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands
Shortly before, on August 10, a major explosion recorded at a petroleum products facility in the port of Rotterdam left one dead and six injured, triggering a massive mobilization of authorities in one of the most important energy and commercial hubs of Europe.
The incident occurred while a crew was carrying out maintenance work, with authorities examining all possibilities.
The explosion took place at approximately 11:30 in the morning on Thursday, August 13, at a facility of Gunvor Energy in the port area of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.
According to Reuters, one person was killed and another six were injured, while strong emergency forces rushed to the scene.
Initial information indicates that at the time of the blast, maintenance work was underway on a tank and on part of the piping network.
Gunvor confirmed that the incident occurred during maintenance work, while Dutch media reported that a crew was working on piping and it is being examined whether something went wrong during their disconnection.
Police established a perimeter zone to investigate the explosion.
Initial assessments treated it as a potential workplace accident, without a definitive conclusion having been reached, however.
A police spokesperson stated that for now there are no direct indications of sabotage, but investigators continue to examine all possible scenarios.
❗️?? #NOW: Explosion at the Port of #Rotterdam in the #Netherlands Police confirm that at least one person was killed and several others were injured. The cause of the blast remains unclear, and an investigation is underway. Further details have not yet been released. https://t.co/aiWVAOOCoq
— APA News Agency (@APA_English) August 13, 2026
Three alarms on the same day
Even greater concern was caused by the fact that the explosion occurred on a day marked by multiple serious incidents across the wider port area.
Earlier, a major power outage occurred in a different section of Rotterdam, while a fire broke out at a transformer.
The outage forced several businesses to temporarily halt operations and evacuate personnel.
Other electricity problems also occurred throughout the day.
Emergency services, however, made clear that no link has been established between the explosion and the power cuts.
ExxonMobil later announced that the electrical power problem at its facilities had been resolved and that operations returned to normal levels.
Concurrently, Shell reported that its own activities were not affected by the blast.
www.bankingnews.gr
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