A Russian far-right, misogynistic movement known as Male State, notorious for its campaigns against women, feminism and the LGBTQ+ community, has been mentioned in threatening messages that triggered a series of security alerts at European airports.
The messages, sent to Italian aviation authorities, contained threats of explosions aboard passenger aircraft. The senders identified themselves as members of the extremist movement.
According to British media outlet LBC, the emails named specific flights and warned that the sky would be painted red. The threats targeted aircraft traveling from Dublin and Helsinki to Rome, prompting emergency security procedures and the deployment of military fighter jets.
Italian media reported that the messages were signed in the name of Male State. However, investigators have not yet confirmed whether the individuals responsible actually belong to the organization.
“Your Feminist Regime Will Remember This Forever”
In one of the threatening emails reported by LBC, the senders claimed that explosive devices had been planted aboard two passenger aircraft heading to Italy.
The message specifically identified Finnair flight AY1761 from Helsinki to Rome and Aer Lingus flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome.
It also contained ideologically motivated threats against what the senders described as the “feminist regime.”
The authors identified themselves as “fighters of Male State” and warned that their actions would leave a mark on history.
Following the threats, the Aer Lingus aircraft carrying 151 passengers and six crew members was diverted from its Dublin-Rome route to Évreux-Fauville Air Base in France.
French Air Force fighter jets were deployed to escort the aircraft. After landing, passengers were evacuated and the plane underwent a security inspection.
The Finnair aircraft traveling from Helsinki to Rome was also escorted by a military aircraft before landing safely at its destination.
No explosives were found aboard either aircraft.
What Is Male State – The Movement Waging a War Against Women?
Male State is a Russian far-right online movement founded in 2016 by blogger and fitness trainer Vladislav Pozdnyakov.
The group promotes an ideology it calls “national patriarchy,” built around male dominance, radical nationalism and opposition to feminism.
Its followers advocate the subordination of women to men, arguing that women should prioritize family life and traditional gender roles.
Beyond its misogynistic ideology, the movement has also promoted racist, homophobic and ultranationalist views.
The group first attracted wider international attention during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
At the time, its members organized online campaigns targeting Russian women who socialized with or entered romantic relationships with foreign football fans, particularly men of different racial backgrounds.
Photographs, personal information and abusive comments about the women were circulated online, triggering widespread harassment and threats.
The movement later launched campaigns against companies whose advertisements featured same-sex families or models from different ethnic backgrounds.
Banned in Russia but Continued Operating Online
In October 2021, Russian authorities designated Male State an extremist organization and banned its activities.
Following the ban, parts of its online network reportedly continued operating under different names, including Male Legion.
According to LBC, in recent years the movement has also published content supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, alongside material promoting violence, racism and hatred toward women.
Nevertheless, the alleged connection between Male State and the latest threats against European aircraft remains unconfirmed.
The fact that the emails were signed in the movement’s name does not establish that the threats originated from the organization itself or its leadership.
At Least 20 Flights Targeted – Is Europe Facing a Coordinated Campaign?
On Thursday, November 5, at least 20 European flights were reportedly affected by bomb threats.
The incidents involved aircraft traveling to Italy, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and several other European countries.
Some aircraft were diverted, while fighter jets were deployed in France, Italy and Bulgaria.
In Belgium, a note containing the word “bomb” was reportedly discovered aboard a Ryanair aircraft traveling from Pescara to Brussels. Following its arrival, passengers were evacuated and both passengers and luggage underwent detailed security checks.
Initial inspections indicated that the threats were false.
Nevertheless, their number and the way they were communicated have raised concerns among European security authorities.
Several European countries have previously warned about the growing threat of hybrid attacks – operations designed to disrupt transportation, critical infrastructure and the functioning of public institutions.
However, there is currently no confirmed evidence that the Russian state or any other government is behind the latest threats.
European Commissioner for Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas said it was too early to determine whether the incidents were connected.
Who Is Really Behind the Threats?
Although the name of the Russian movement Male State appeared in the threatening messages, European investigators have yet to establish who sent them and whether a common organizer was involved.
Experts are considering several possibilities, including organized online groups, individuals sending false bomb threats and broader operations aimed at disrupting European air traffic.
For airlines and airports, even a single false threat can trigger the evacuation of hundreds of passengers, flight delays, the deployment of specialized police units and substantial financial losses.
For now, all inspected aircraft have been declared safe, and no explosive devices have been discovered.
The investigation into the origin of the threats remains ongoing.
