In a significant operation, German police have apprehended two men of German-Russian nationality on allegations of spying for Russia and engaging in sabotage activities. The arrests were made on Wednesday, followed by searches conducted at the suspects' residences and workplaces. The German Federal Prosecutor's Office in Karlsruhe announced on Thursday that the individuals, identified as Dieter S. and Alexander J., were accused of acting as agents for sabotage purposes and preparing explosives.

According to German prosecutors, the arrested individuals had been scouting potential attack targets, including the US military bases in Germany. Dieter S., who allegedly maintained contact with a Russian secret service agent, is facing additional charges of conspiring to cause an explosion and arson. Prosecutors claim that since October 2023, he had been exchanging ideas with the agent about possible sabotage actions, specifically aimed at undermining the military support provided by Germany and its allies to Ukraine.

During his communication with the Russian operative, S. expressed his willingness to carry out attacks on military infrastructure as well as industrial sites in Germany. Media reports have identified the Grafenwöhr army base in Bavaria, where Ukrainian soldiers are trained in the use of US Abrams tanks, as one of the facilities on their target list.

The arrests have attracted considerable attention and concern in Germany, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasizing the need to counter the threat of Russian espionage. Scholz stressed that espionage activities on German soil were unacceptable. As a response to the arrests, Germany also summoned Russia's ambassador in Berlin.

However, Moscow has refuted the allegations, claiming that German officials have failed to provide any evidence to substantiate the claim that the two arrested men were Russian spies. The Russian Embassy in Berlin took to the social media platform X to state that no evidence had been presented regarding the detainees' plans or their possible connections to Russian representatives.

Investigations have revealed that Dieter S. had been collecting information about potential attack targets, including military transports and goods. He is accused of passing this information to his handler, with Alexander J. allegedly assisting him in these activities since March 2024. Furthermore, J. faces allegations of being a member of a foreign terrorist organization, specifically an armed unit of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine between December 2014 and September 2016.

The arrest of the suspected Russian spies has underscored Germany's vulnerability to Russian espionage operations. Germany, being one of the major suppliers of military aid to Ukraine, has become a prime target for such activities. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser commended the authorities for preventing potential explosive attacks aimed at undermining Germany's military assistance to Ukraine. She called the case a serious instance of alleged spy activity for Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime.

As the news of the arrests emerged, Germany's Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck made an unexpected visit to Kyiv, emphasizing Germany's commitment to supporting Ukraine and standing up against intimidation. German Interior Minister Marco Buschmann hailed the operation as a success in countering Putin's sabotage and espionage network. He further stressed the need for a defensive and decisive response to this threat.

Security experts have noted that while the shared information might not be significantly dangerous in the hands of the Kremlin, the fact that both suspects are German citizens raises concerns about the extensive network of individuals in Germany who could potentially be used by Russia for various activities. An expert in Russian hybrid warfare, Oleksandr Danylyuk, called for a proactive overhaul in the approach of law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community to identify and address individuals like the arrested suspects.

As the investigation unfolds, German authorities remain determined to protect national security and maintain the support they provide to Ukraine, while sending a clear message that such espionage activities will not be tolerated on German soil.