Germany detains two suspected of spying for Russia: reports

The two men, both of them German-Russian nationals, are believed to have been plotting sabotage attacks, including on US military facilities, in a
serious effort to undermine military support for Ukraine, the Reuters news agency reported.

It said authorities have searched the homes and workplaces of the two suspects who stand accused of working for a foreign secret service.

Berlin has become one of Kyiv’s biggest suppliers of military aid since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and is a major target for Russian spying operations, Reuters reported.

German authorities arrest two men suspected of espionage for Russia and membership of a terror group planning acts of sabotage against military and industrial sites https://t.co/nKRj62Obb6

— Bloomberg (@business) April 18, 2024

“Our security authorities have prevented possible explosive attacks that were intended to target and undermine our military assistance to Ukraine,” German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said, as cited by Reuters.

Planowano #atak na bazę wojsk #USA w Niemczech#PAPinformacje https://t.co/fTxG4i4A1y

— PAP (@PAPinformacje) April 18, 2024

“It is a particularly serious case of alleged spy activity for (President Vladimir) Putin’s criminal regime,” she added.

Germany arrests men allegedly spying for Russia in plan to sabotage Ukrainian aid https://t.co/SI2nyPRnGE

— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 18, 2024

Germany has summoned the Russian ambassador over the detentions, according to Reuters.

German spying: Two suspected spies arrested in Bavaria https://t.co/RHryYwp1Re

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) April 18, 2024

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

Thursday is day 785 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: Reuters, IAR, PAP