NewsDouble agents detained in Germany for plotting sabotage against Ukraine aid

Double agents detained in Germany for plotting sabotage against Ukraine aid

Russian spies in Germany. "They planned attacks on transport routes"

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6:07 PM EDT, April 18, 2024

The delivery of Western weapons to Ukraine has drawn the attention of Russian intelligence services. In Bavaria, German special forces detained two individuals suspected of surveilling military facilities and an American base that is training Ukrainian tank crews. These suspects are also believed to have plotted disruptions to military supply lines.

The primary suspect is 39-year-old Dieter S., who holds both German and Russian citizenship. His accomplice, 37-year-old Alexander J., also a dual citizen, is reportedly an agent for Russian intelligence, according to "Der Spiegel."

Plots to disrupt transport routes

Since October 2023, Dieter S. has been planning sabotage operations within Germany in communication with Russian special forces. These plans included arson and assaults on military conveyances, defense corporations, and industrial sites, aiming to weaken Germany's support for Ukraine.

Investigations revealed Dieter S.'s involvement in gathering intelligence and capturing images of American military installations in Germany. He intended to forward these photos to his Russian contacts. Alexander J., 37, was identified as his accomplice in these efforts.

As "Der Spiegel" notes, these spies also kept an eye on American military facilities in Germany, notably the Bavarian Grafenwöhr base, where U.S. forces are training Ukrainian personnel to operate Abrams tanks.

Rising espionage activities by Russian operatives

Dieter S. has a background in military training, having served with the "Donetsk People's Republic" militia from 2014 to 2016. Since this group is classified as a terrorist organization in Germany, Dieter S. faces charges related to his affiliation with a foreign terrorist group.

This incident is not isolated in the context of Russian espionage within EU territories. Last year in Poland, a spy network was uncovered, engaged in gathering data on arms shipments to Ukraine. Polish intelligence, in November, disclosed that this network's assignments included spotting military facilities and critical infrastructures, tracking trains loaded with military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and conspiring their sabotage.

Furthermore, in April of this year, Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka alerted the Financial Times that, over the past two years, Russia has executed "thousands of attempts" to interrupt rail services in the Czech Republic.