In brief
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has confirmed that espionage by Russian intelligence services remains a pressing concern, citing the recent arrest of a Ukrainian national suspected of gathering military intelligence in Germany. The suspect, identified as Vadym Y., allegedly passed information on armored vehicle and ammunition production to a Russian intermediary. Merz praised the arrest as a success but warned that such activities continue at a consistently high level. Earlier this year, Germany also arrested former BND chief August Hanning on espionage and treason charges, signalling heightened vigilance against foreign intelligence. The series of arrests underscore Germany’s role as a key European arms supplier to Ukraine and its strategic partnership with the UK amid ongoing hybrid warfare threats.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has confirmed that espionage by Russian intelligence services remains a pressing concern, citing the recent arrest of a Ukrainian national suspected of gathering military intelligence in Germany.
The suspect, identified as Vadym Y., allegedly passed information on armored vehicle and ammunition production to a Russian intermediary via a contact that had been in reach since at least July 2025. He is due to appear before an investigating judge on Friday and was described by the Federal Prosecutor General’s Office as having collected material on “armoured vehicles, ammunition and explosives.”
Merz praised the arrest as a “success” but warned that Russian intelligence activity in Germany remains at a consistently high level, calling for continued vigilance.
The story follows a series of arrests this year, including a Romanian woman and a Ukrainian man accused of spying on a drone supplier, and a woman arrested in Berlin suspected of gathering information for a Russian embassy officer. In January, the former BND chief August Hanning was arrested on suspicion of espionage, treason and the acquisition of classified information for a foreign power, though the identity of that foreign power has not been disclosed.
Merz also reaffirmed defence and security partnerships with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, highlighting cooperation on hybrid attacks and hostile activity. The talks came after Germany accused Russia of launching a drone equipped with explosives at Leipzig‑Halle Airport in September, a claim the Kremlin denied and blamed on planted evidence.
These developments underscore Germany’s critical role as a leading European supplier of weapons to Ukraine and its ongoing strategic alignment with allies amid the larger context of hybrid warfare and intelligence contestation.
