In brief
After arresting a Ukrainian national suspected of spying for Russia, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the country as a target of intensive espionage. The suspect, Vadym Y., allegedly collected information on German armoured vehicle production, ammunition and explosives. Merz highlighted a series of arrests this year tied to Russian intelligence, warning the effort remains high. Germany remains a key supplier of weapons to Ukraine, drawing it into a broader security confrontation.
Germany says it is a target of intensive espionage activity after a Ukrainian national was arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia.
The suspect, identified as Vadym Y., allegedly collected military‑related intelligence from the German market. Merz called the arrest a success but warned that “the activities of Russian intelligence services in Germany remain at a consistently high level.”
Merz noted that several people allegedly acting for Russia and other foreign powers have been taken into custody this year, underscoring the country’s strategic role as a weapons supplier to Ukraine since 2022.
The German Federal Prosecutor General’s Office said Vadym Y. had been in contact with a Russian intelligence service through an intermediary since at least July 2025, and that he gathered data on armored vehicle production, ammunition and explosives. He is due to appear before an investigating judge on Friday.
In January, a Berlin woman was arrested for gathering information for a Russian embassy officer, and other arrests this year included a Romanian woman and a Ukrainian man accused of spying on a drone supplier to Ukraine. Furthermore, a former German spy chief, August Hanning, was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of espionage and treason for allegedly passing classified documents to a foreign power. Police also arrested former BND employee Manfred D. for the same breach.
During a conference in Montenegro, Merz warned there would likely be more such cases in the months and years ahead, reaffirming defence and security partnerships with the UK and calling for collective action against hybrid attacks and hostile activity.
The statements arrive amid escalating tensions, following accusations by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Germany fabricated evidence linking a Russian‑fitted explosive drone to a Leipzig‑Halle Airport incident.
