Germany detains two men suspected of spying for Russia as US approaches agreement on aid for Ukraine

Two German-Russian men have been arrested in Germany on suspicion of espionage, prosecutors said Thursday. The suspects, identified as Dieter S. and Alexander J., were apprehended in the Bavarian city of Bayreuth. Dieter S. is accused of plotting attacks on potential targets, including US military facilities, in an attempt to disrupt aid for Ukraine.

The main goal of the espionage operation was to undermine military support provided by Germany to Ukraine, a key European ally for Kyiv. Dieter S. allegedly discussed acts of sabotage with a person linked to Russian intelligence since October. He expressed willingness to carry out bombing and arson attacks on military infrastructure and industrial sites in Germany, gathering information on potential targets, including US military facilities.

Alexander J. is said to have assisted Dieter S. in scouting out sites, taking photos and videos of military goods, and passing information to their intelligence contact. Dieter S. also faces separate accusations of belonging to an armed unit of pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, in the US, lawmakers are closing in on a funding package to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. President Joe Biden expressed strong support for the proposal, offering crucial bipartisan backing for the $95 billion funding effort for the three US allies. The move comes as Ukraine’s prime minister visited Washington, DC to seek support amid escalating tensions with Russia.

The funding package includes provisions for purchasing weapons and ammunition for Ukraine, as well as economic assistance structured as forgivable loans. The decision to support Ukraine has sparked backlash from populist conservatives in the House, leading to threats to remove the House Speaker from office. In Sweden, the foreign minister warned of environmental risks posed by Russian oil shipping in the Baltic Sea, highlighting the ongoing concerns surrounding Russia’s actions in the region.