Two German-Russian men have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia and plotting attacks in Germany, including targeting U.S. army facilities to undermine military support for Ukraine. The main accused, Dieter S., is alleged to have scouted potential targets for attacks, including facilities of the U.S. armed forces stationed in Germany. The Russian ambassador to Berlin was summoned following the arrests, and German officials have strongly condemned the actions as an attempt to bring “terror” to Germany by President Putin. The Russian Embassy in Berlin denied the accusations, stating that no evidence of the detainees’ plans or connections to Russian structures was presented.
The suspects are believed to have been working for a foreign intelligence service, with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser calling it “a particularly serious case of suspected agent activity for Putin’s criminal regime.” Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that Germany cannot accept espionage activities taking place within its borders. Prosecutors revealed that Dieter S. had been sharing information with a person linked to Russian intelligence services since October 2023 and discussing potential acts of sabotage, aiming to undermine military support for Ukraine against Russian aggression. He allegedly expressed readiness to commit explosive and arson attacks on military infrastructure and industrial sites in Germany.
Dieter S. collected information about potential targets, including U.S. army facilities, by taking photos and videos of military transport and equipment. The military facilities spied on reportedly included the U.S. army base in Grafenwoehr in Bavaria, where American troops train Ukrainian soldiers. The accused also faces an additional charge of belonging to a foreign terrorist organization, as he was allegedly a fighter in an armed unit of the pro-Russian “People’s Republic of Donetsk” in eastern Ukraine from 2014 to 2016. The investigation revealed that Alexander J. began assisting him from March 2024.
Germany, as Ukraine’s second-largest supplier of military aid, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine and opposing any attempts to intimidate or undermine their assistance. The spy arrests came as Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck visited Kyiv, highlighting Germany’s ongoing support for Ukraine amidst heightened tensions with Russia. The country has experienced several cases of alleged spying for Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, raising concerns about potential sympathies towards Moscow within German official circles. Both countries have been cracking down on individuals suspected of aiding the opposing side, with treason charges being leveled against dozens of individuals accused of supporting Kyiv and the West by Russian authorities.
In response to the escalating espionage activities and threats, German officials have emphasized the need for resistance and determination in the face of Russian aggression. Justice Minister Marco Buschmann stressed the importance of responding to the threats posed by the Russian power apparatus with vigilance and resolve. Despite the denials from the Russian Embassy in Berlin, the arrests and subsequent investigations have underscored the ongoing tensions between Germany and Russia, particularly in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. The situation remains dynamic, with both countries taking measures to protect their national security interests and thwart potential threats from foreign intelligence operations.
