Fears Putin is behind co-ordinated arson attack on France’s rail networks after Moscow spy arrested over Olympics plot

VLADIMIR Putin could be behind the “coordinated” arson attack on France’s railway network leaving the country paralysed.

Worries of Russian sabotage on the Olympic Games come after an alleged FSB spy and former reality TV love show contestant was arrested in Paris just days ago.

AFPRail workers and police investigated the arson attack at Croiselles[/caption]

Alleged Russian spy Kirill Gryaznov was arrested on Sunday after allegedly plotting to target the opening ceremony

X/ @francebleuCritical signalling cables were found burnt out[/caption]

AFPPassengers gather around the departure boards at the Gare Montparnasse train station this morning[/caption]

EPAExperts believe Vladimir Putin could be behind the attacks[/caption]

Kirill Gryaznov was nabbed by cops on Sunday after he boasted about creating “an opening ceremony like no other”.

The opening ceremony begins on Friday night, with 80 barges full of athletes and other competitors sailing down the River Seine in front of thousands of fans and VIPs.

But there are worries now the party might be spoiled as tourists, athletes, and dignitaries won’t be able to make it into Paris.

French media cited sources describing the arson attacks on critical rail cables as a “coordinated” and “studied” attack of “sabotage” on strategic points on the rail network.

One security expert claimed the attacks were a Russian style of sabotage.

William Gheddes said that targeting of infrastructure is more likely to be Moscow and its spies – rather than other states or groups.

He said: “There is one individual that has already been arrested that is associated to the FSB – the Domestic Intelligence Agency for Russia.”

Gheddes said that the attacks were a ” very deliberate and considered strategy to immobilize the French rail network”.

“It is inevitable that this is some foreign hostile state that is looking to try and disrupt and embarrass the French in the run-up to today’s opening ceremony.”

If it were Russia, Gheddes said it might not be immediately clear is was ordered by Moscow as they would try and hide it was them.

He said: “Any good tradecraft by a foreign state actor will try and mask that attack by whatever means possible, to look as inert and less associated as a considered attack as possible.”

But Russia isn’t the only country targeting the games and the Israelis have blamed the attack on Iran.

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israeli Katz claimed the attack was “planned and executed” by “Iran’s axis of evil” and “radical Islam”.

“As I warned my French counterpart Stephane Sejourne this week, based on information held by Israel, Iranians are planning terrorist attacks against the Israeli delegation and all Olympic participants.

Instagram @kirillgryaznoffGryaznov starred in a Russian Bachelor-style show where six women tried to seduce him[/caption]

GettyTrains were brought to a halt Friday following a ‘sabotage’ attack[/caption]

InstagramThe alleged Russian spy could face 30 years in prison[/caption]

“Increased preventive measures must be taken to thwart their plot.

“The free world must stop Iran now – before it’s too late.”

Gheddes said: “We know that Iran and many of its affiliated terrorist organisations have been very vocal about their threats against the Israel team, but also against Israeli tourists and spectators who are intending to come and enjoy the games.”

Tensions between France and Russia are high following Europe’s backing of Ukraine in Russia’s illegal invasion.

Pictures on Gryaznov’s Instagram account, followed by 10,000 people, show him posing with guns and Josef Stalin memorabilia.

Gryaznov starred in a Russian Bachelor-style show, in which six women tried to seduce him.

One clip showed the ‘accomplished businessman and budding restaurateur’ explain how he had been unlucky in love.

Prosecutors in Paris said the search of the Russian national’s apartment had been carried out at the request of the Interior Ministry.

Agents found evidence of a “large-scale project” that could have had ‘serious’ consequences during the three weeks of the Games.

The unnamed man faces allegations of “sharing intelligence with a foreign power with a view to provoking hostilities in France”.

Authorities said several plots to disrupt the Olympics have been foiled ahead of the opening ceremony today.

France’s intelligence services have also been mobilised to strike back against the saboteurs with extra police being deployed to train stations.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal posted on social media saying there would be “massive and serious” consequences to the attacks.

He wrote: “I am thinking of all the French people, all the families, who were getting ready to go on vacation.

“I share their anger and salute their patience, their understanding and the civic-mindedness they are showing.”

Where did the attacks take place?

According to Le Parisien, the attacks on the SNCF lines took place across France.

SNCF says the fires were set in pipes that carried crucial cables used for signalling on the rail service.

Saboteurs hit Vergigny (Yonne), on the Paris-Marseille high-speed line; Courtalain (Eure-et-Loir), on the Atlantic high-speed line; Croisilles (Pas-de-Calais), on the Paris-Lille high-speed line; and Pagny-sur-Moselle (Meurthe-et-Moselle), on the East high-speed line.

One attack on the South East line was stopped by maintenance workers who scared the group of people off, the Ministry of Transport said.

RexAn information screen shows a notice concerning a malicious act in the Arras region[/caption]

AFPFrench rail employees and French gendarmes inspect the scene[/caption]

XOne Parisian described the attacks as a ‘nightmare’[/caption]