German authorities have apprehended two German-Russian dual nationals, Dieter S and Alexander J, on suspicion of planning sabotage attacks on US military sites in Germany. The arrests were made in the town of Bayreuth, Bavaria, following searches of their homes and workplaces. Prosecutors allege that the individuals were involved in espionage activities and had connections to a foreign intelligence service.
According to German prosecutors, Dieter S had been in contact with a Russian secret service operative and had exchanged information gathered through their communication. Alexander J began assisting Dieter in March 2024. Dieter’s secret communication had been ongoing since October of the previous year, and he had expressed readiness to carry out explosive and arson attacks on military infrastructure and industrial sites, including those belonging to the US military.
The suspects allegedly scouted various targets, capturing photos and videos of military transports and goods, which were then passed on to their Russian contact. Among the facilities under surveillance was the Grafenwoehr army base in Bavaria, where Ukrainian soldiers receive training to operate US Abrams tanks.
German authorities revealed that Dieter S had previously been active in eastern Ukraine between December 2014 and September 2016, serving as a fighter in an armed unit of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), a breakaway region backed by Moscow. He also possessed a firearm during this period. Dieter now faces an additional charge of belonging to a foreign terrorist organization due to his activities in Ukraine.
The arrests come at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with Germany being a major supplier of military aid to Ukraine. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser described the case as a serious instance of alleged spy activity aimed at undermining Germany’s military assistance to Ukraine and supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Coinciding with the announcement of the arrests, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck made a surprise trip to Ukraine to offer further support. Habeck is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has repeatedly expressed concerns about the lack of robust air defenses as Russian attacks increasingly target energy infrastructure.
