German police detain two men for planning sabotage on behalf of Russia

German police have arrested two men accused of plotting to sabotage support for Ukraine, possibly on behalf of the Russian government. The suspects, identified as Dieter S. and Alexander J., are believed to have worked for a foreign secret service, according to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office.

Dieter S. is alleged to have discussed “possible sabotage actions” with a contact linked to the Russian secret service. He is also accused of planning explosive and arson attacks on German and American military and industrial sites, as well as being associated with the “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DPR), classified as a foreign terrorist organization in Germany.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that security authorities thwarted bomb attacks aimed at undermining Germany’s military assistance to Ukraine. Germany, the second-largest supplier of weapons to Ukraine after the US, has provided significant aid since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the suspected recruitment of agents by Putin to carry out attacks on German soil, emphasizing that Germany will not tolerate such actions. The Russian ambassador to Germany was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Berlin in response to the incident.

Although specific targets were not disclosed, reports suggest one was the US Grafenwoehr military base in Bavaria. This arrest follows a similar operation in Poland last year, where six individuals were charged with spying for Russia and planning sabotage.

Germany is also dealing with a separate case involving a former BND intelligence service agent accused of treason for allegedly passing state secrets to Russia. The agent denies the charges, claiming he was gathering intelligence on Russia.