In brief
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz denounced new arrests of a Ukrainian suspect and a former BND chief, describing the espionage activity as "intensive." Authorities said the Ukrainian, identified as Vadym Y., collected military data on armoured vehicles, ammunition and explosives while liaising with a Russian intelligence intermediary. Earlier this year, a former BND officer was detained for handing over 2,000 classified files, and a Romanian woman was arrested for spying on drones supplied to Ukraine. Merz warned that Russia’s intelligence services are "at a consistently high level" and pledged deeper security cooperation with the United Kingdom.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the country is the target of "intensive" espionage after a Ukrainian national was arrested for spying on Russian intelligence.
The suspect, named Vadym Y., allegedly gathered information about German production of armoured vehicles, ammunition and explosives through an intermediary linked to a Russian service since July 2025.
Merz called the case a success but warned that Russian intelligence activities remain "consistently high" in Germany.
Earlier this year, Germany has detained several people linked to Russia and other foreign powers. In January, a woman was arrested in Berlin for collecting data for a Russian embassy officer. Other arrests included a Romanian woman and a Ukrainian man who allegedly spied on a drone supplier for Ukraine.
Adding to the wave of suspicions, a former BND chief, August Hanning, was detained on accusations of espionage, treason and obtaining classified information for a foreign power. Police also charged an ex‑BND employee, Manfred D, with handing over about 2,000 classified documents to Hanning for money.
Merz said at a conference in Montenegro that further cases could arise and that Germany will reinforce defence and security ties with the United Kingdom to counter hybrid attacks. He cited recent allegations that Russia launched an explosive‑laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport and the Kremlin’s counter‑claims that Germany planted evidence.
