In brief
After a Ukrainian national was arrested for collecting military‑related intel for Russia, Germany's new chancellor Friedrich Merz declared espionage activity in the country to remain high. The suspect, named Vadym Y., allegedly gathered intel on armored vehicles and ammunition. Merz hailed the arrest as a success but warned of ongoing threats. Meanwhile, former spy chief August Hanning was also arrested later this month on similar charges, raising fears of a wider intelligence scandal. German defenses are tightening ties with the UK to counter hybrid attacks.
Germany says Russian espionage remains "intensive" after Ukrainian spy arrest
After a Ukrainian national was arrested for collecting military‑related intel for Russia, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the spy network in Germany remains at a consistently high level.
The suspect, named Vadym Y., is accused of gathering information on armored vehicles, ammunition and explosives for a Russian intelligence service since at least July 2025, prosecutors said.
Merz called the arrest a success but warned that more cases are likely to surface in the coming months and years.
Earlier this month, former BND chief August Hanning was arrested on charges of espionage and treason, with police claiming he had exchanged thousands of classified documents for money.
The German government has also deepened defence ties with the United Kingdom, pledging to tackle hybrid attacks and protect critical infrastructure.
Germany supplies a significant amount of weapons to Ukraine, and the spy crackdown comes amid recent tensions over alleged drone attacks and espionage claims between Berlin and Moscow.
