Germany Faces "Intensive" Espionage as Suspected Russian Spy is Arrested
Chancellor Merz stated that Germany is under significant espionage pressure following the arrest of a Ukrainian national accused of spying for Russia.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Germany is the target of "intensive" espionage, issuing the warning after a Ukrainian national was arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia. Officials reported that the suspect, identified as Vadym Y. under German privacy law, allegedly collected military-related intelligence from Germany.
Merz described the uncovering of the case as a "success" but cautioned, "let us not delude ourselves - the activities of Russian intelligence services in Germany remain at a consistently high level." Germany has been a primary European supplier of weapons to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
The German Federal Prosecutor General's Office announced that Vadym Y. had been in contact with a Russian intelligence service through an intermediary since at least July 2025. The office further stated that the Ukrainian man had collected information on topics including "the production of armoured vehicles, ammunition, and explosives."
This arrest follows several other instances this year of individuals apprehended in Germany on suspicion of acting on behalf of Russia or other foreign powers. In January, a woman was arrested in Berlin on suspicion of gathering information for an intelligence officer at the Russian embassy. Additionally, a Romanian woman and a Ukrainian man were arrested and accused of spying on an individual supplying drones from Germany to Ukraine, according to the prosecutor's office.
Vadym Y. is scheduled to appear before an investigating judge on Friday.