Two German-Russian men, identified as Dieter S. and Alexander J., have been arrested in Bayreuth, Bavaria, Germany, on suspicion of espionage and plotting attacks on potential targets, including U.S. military facilities. The arrests were made on Wednesday, and the suspects are accused of conspiring to sabotage aid for Ukraine by undermining Germany’s military support to the country.
According to federal prosecutors, Dieter S. had been engaged in discussions with an individual linked to Russian intelligence since October, with the main objective being to carry out acts of sabotage in Germany. The suspect allegedly expressed his willingness to conduct bombing and arson attacks on military infrastructure and industrial sites within the country. He also gathered information on potential targets, including U.S. military facilities, by scouting out sites, taking photos, and videos, which he then passed on to his intelligence contact.
Alexander J. is believed to have assisted Dieter S. in gathering information on potential targets starting in March. The suspects’ specific targets have not been disclosed by prosecutors, but reports suggest that the U.S. Grafenwoehr military base may have been among the locations under surveillance.
In addition to the espionage charges, Dieter S. also faces separate accusations of belonging to an armed unit of pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine between December 2014 and September 2016.
Germany, which has become the second-largest supplier of weapons to Ukraine after the United States, has vowed to continue supporting Ukraine and thwart any Russian threats. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser summoned Russia’s ambassador to the Foreign Ministry in Berlin to address the situation. Faeser emphasized that Germany will not be intimidated and will maintain its support for Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that he does not have any information regarding the reported arrests and declined to comment further.
European officials have recently warned about Russia-linked interference networks attempting to undermine European support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
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Interesting fact: Germany has one of the largest Russian populations outside of Russia, with an estimated 2.5 million people of Russian descent living in the country.