BERLIN — Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany is the target of “intensive” espionage after federal prosecutors announced the arrest of a Ukrainian national on suspicion of spying for Russia, BBC News reported.
The Federal Prosecutor General’s Office said Thursday the suspect, identified under German privacy law as Vadym Y., had been in contact with a Russian intelligence service through an intermediary since at least July 2025 and gathered information including “on the production of armoured vehicles, ammunition, and explosives.” He was due before an investigating judge on Friday.
Merz called the case a “success” but warned: “Let us not delude ourselves — the activities of Russian intelligence services in Germany remain at a consistently high level.” Speaking on the sidelines of a conference in Montenegro, he added, “We will likely see more such cases in the coming months and years.”
Germany, one of Ukraine’s leading European arms suppliers, has made several espionage arrests this year, the BBC noted — including, earlier this month, former BND foreign intelligence chief August Hanning, on suspicion of espionage and treason. Investigators have not said which foreign powers were involved in that case.
Berlin accused Russia in September of launching an explosives-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport; President Vladimir Putin accused Germany of planting evidence.
Sources: BBC News
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