Merz says Germany faces 'intensive' espionage after suspected spy arrest
A Ukrainian national has been arrested in Germany on suspicion of collecting military intelligence for Russia, prompting Chancellor Friedrich Merz to warn that Russian espionage remains at a consistently high level.
At a glance
- A Ukrainian national identified as Vadym Y. was arrested in Germany on suspicion of gathering military intelligence for Russia.
- Prosecutors said he had been in contact with a Russian intelligence service through an intermediary since at least July 2025.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Russian intelligence activity in Germany remains at a consistently high level.
A Ukrainian national has been arrested in Germany on suspicion of spying for Russia, prompting Chancellor Friedrich Merz to describe the country as a target of "intensive" espionage.
Officials said the suspect, identified under German privacy law as Vadym Y., had allegedly gathered military-related intelligence inside Germany.
Merz called the uncovering of the case a "success", but warned against complacency, saying: "Let us not delude ourselves - the activities of Russian intelligence services in Germany remain at a consistently high level."
What prosecutors say
The German Federal Prosecutor General's Office said on Thursday that Vadym Y. had been in contact with a Russian intelligence service through an intermediary since at least July 2025.
It said he had collected information including "on the production of armoured vehicles, ammunition, and explosives". He is due to appear before an investigating judge on Friday.
Other arrests this year
Several people alleged to be acting on behalf of Russia and other foreign powers have been arrested in Germany this year.
In January, a woman was arrested in Berlin on suspicion of gathering information for an intelligence officer at the Russian embassy. Further arrests included a Romanian woman and a Ukrainian man accused of spying on an individual who supplies drones from Germany to Ukraine, according to the prosecutor's office.
Germany has been one of the leading European suppliers of weapons to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, a role that has made the country a focus for foreign intelligence activity.
Source: BBC World.
Questions and answers
- Why was a Ukrainian national arrested in Germany?
- He is suspected of spying for Russia and of collecting military-related intelligence, including on the production of armoured vehicles, ammunition and explosives, according to the Federal Prosecutor General's Office.
- What did Friedrich Merz say about Russian espionage in Germany?
- Merz said Germany is the target of "intensive" espionage and that Russian intelligence activity in Germany remains at a consistently high level. He called the uncovering of the case a success.
- Have other suspected spies been arrested in Germany this year?
- Yes. A woman was arrested in Berlin in January on suspicion of gathering information for an intelligence officer at the Russian embassy, and a Romanian woman and a Ukrainian man were accused of spying on a drone supplier.
