A SUSPECTED Russian-Ukrainian terrorist has been arrested in Paris after causing an explosion by the city’s biggest airport.
A 26-year-old caused the blast near Charles de Gaulle airport using an improvised bomb with "Mother of Satan" chemicals favoured by ISIS bombers, it emerged last night.
The explosion happened in a hotel on Monday afternoon, just two days before world leaders - including US President Joe Biden - flew into the French capital in time for D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations.
The B&B Hotel Paris Roissy CDG Aéroport, in Roissy-en-France, was evacuated and closed following the attack.
The Russian-Ukrainian from Donbas, who has not been named, was in custody on Wednesday night following the explosion at Charles de Gaulle.
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He suffered severe burns to his face and arms after igniting Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) in an £80-room at the B&B hotel, within the perimeter of the airport, which is the largest in France.
The same chemicals were used by ISIS suicide bombers in attacks on Paris in November 2015 - which claimed 130 lives - and in Manchester in 2017, when 22 people were killed and more than 1,000 were wounded.
ISIS and other terrorist groups behind similar attacks, such as Al-Qaeda, frequently refer to TATP as "Mother of Satan".
Despite his burns, the suspect at Charles de Gaulle was afterwards able to communicate with officers from the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI) – France’s domestic security service.
Anti-terrorism prosecutors were informed and a formal investigation was opened into a variety of alleged offences.
A source at France’s national anti-terrorist prosecutor's office said: "Initial findings revealed products and materials intended for the manufacture of explosive devices on site.
"One of the improvised explosive devices exploded. The hotel had to be evacuated.
"The man, of Russian and Ukrainian nationality, who was conscious despite his injuries, explained to investigators that he had built homemade batteries for mobile phones when one of them exploded," news outlet BFMTV reports.
Multiple security sources later confirmed that traces of TATP were found at the B&B Hotel.
The batteries were covered in plastic, with a match, powder and barbecue lighters also inside a package, said a source.
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As well as improvised bomb-making equipment, DGSI investigators reportedly found "multiple passports" in the man’s luggage.
The case was immediately placed in the hands of specialist anti-terror prosecutors, rather than criminal prosecutors.
On Wednesday, calls to the 2-star B&B tourist hotel - which is popular among British travellers and only a short walk away from all of the Charles de Gaulle terminals - went unanswered.
The hotel was immediately evacuated and remained closed yesterday.
Advertised as being "cheap and well-located", the hotel features 226 rooms, all of which are air-conditioned and non-smoking.
The suspect was said by an investigating source to have arrived in France "very recently" and booked a room in the hotel using his own name.
He was reportedly cooperating with officials while recovering from his injuries.
Anti-terrorism prosecutors said they were investigating the man for potential participation in a "terrorist criminal association" while "preparing crimes of attacks against persons".
They were also investigating him for "possession of an incendiary or explosive substance or product" while "preparing destruction and damage or harm to people in connection with a terrorist enterprise."
Many warnings of potential Russian attacks have been issued across Europe since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
This week's bomb threat comes as France hosts its first high-profile commemorations of the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy.
US President Joe Biden, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and other world leaders are expected to attend the main event today.
Paris has indicated French President Emmanuel Macron is seeking to ramp up his country's support of Ukraine, including by providing military backing - which appears to have angered Moscow.
The Russian-Ukrainian man’s arrest follows a warning from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Moscow-run agents plotting atrocities in Europe.
In May, Tusk said nine people had been arrested for allegedly preparing acts of sabotage in EU member states, in co-ordination with Russian intelligence.
He said the people detained were Belarusian, Polish and Ukrainian citizens, and were possibly recruited from organised crime groups.
All were accused of "beatings, arson and attempted arson", and were said to be "directly implicated in the name of Russian services in acts of sabotage in Poland".
They were also suspected of preparing attacks in Lithuania, Latvia and possibly Sweden, he said.
Multiple European intelligence agencies have warned their governments that Russia is planning violent acts across the continent.
ON ALERT
France has raised its security alert to the highest level in the lead-up to the Olympic Games in Paris, to be held from July 26 to August 11.
Just last week, French security services foiled a plot for an "Islamist-inspired" attack which was planned for during this summer's Games.
The country's domestic intelligence agency arrested 18-year-old Rokhman B, who is suspected of organising an attack on a football game in Lyon.
The Chechen immigrant to France was said to have wanted to disrupt games planned in Saint-Étienne, a city in the east of the country, and "die a martyr" by killing spectators or police officers.
France's interior ministry said he had been detained for "actively preparing an attack against the Geoffroy Guichard stadium [in Saint-Etienne] during the football games that will take place there."
An investigating source said: "His first attack has been foiled.
"He is currently in custody and being linked to Islamist groups."
TERROR WARNINGS
ISIS could be gearing up for a new wave of attacks after cops foiled 12 terror plots across Europe in the past year.
Fears are increasing that the terror group could be looking to leverage the conflict in the Middle East to launch bloodshed in the continent and spark chaos.
Western intelligence revealed cops stopped at least 12 terror attacks in the past 12 months across Europe.
Ten jihadist attacks were bravely intercepted and prevented in Europe last year, according to Dutch intelligence agency AIVD.
Among the attacks foiled were stabbing rampages at global events and barbaric assaults on specific venues and groups, the annual report revealed.
AIVD did not elaborate further on where the 10 attacks were set to take place.
