Germany arrests two German-Russian citizens suspected of preparing sabotage attacks News
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Germany arrests two German-Russian citizens suspected of preparing sabotage attacks

German federal prosecutors announced on Thursday the arrest of two German-Russian nationals suspected of spying and planning sabotage attacks on US military targets in an attempt to undermine military support for Ukraine. Reacting to this, German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock summoned the Russian ambassador to the Foreign Ministry for an explanation.

Two citizens, Dieter S. and Alexander J. (whose surnames withheld due to privacy concerns), were arrested on Wednesday in Bayreuth, Germany on charges of cooperation with Russian special services and membership in the terrorist organization “DPR,” also known as the Donetsk People’s Republic. German police also conducted searches of the homes and workplaces of the accused.

According to the arrest warrants, the detainees are suspected of cooperating with a foreign intelligence service. Dieter S. is accused of conspiring to commit an explosion and arson, gathering information about potential targets, photographing and filming military equipment, and planning sabotage actions in Germany, including arson and explosions at military infrastructure facilities. His accomplice, Oleksandr J., allegedly assisted him in particular by “reconnoitering some of the planned targets on the ground, taking photos and videos, for example, of military vehicles and cargo.”

According to the facts of the case, there is serious suspicion that Dieter S. was an active participant of the DPR in eastern Ukraine in the period from 2014 to 2016. The DPR was an organization that claimed control over Donetsk, opposed Ukrainian forces and was known for its violence against civilians.

Reacting to an exposed attempt by Russia to spy on military targets in Germany and carry out terrorist attacks, German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock summoned the Russian ambassador to the Foreign Ministry for an explanation. At the same time, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he knows nothing about the circumstances of the men’s arrest.

It was previously reported that Russia made multiple attempts to interfere with European rail networks as part of a campaign to destabilize the EU and sabotage critical infrastructure since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Germany has become one of the largest suppliers of military aid to Kyiv since the invasion in February 2022 and is one of the main targets for Russian espionage operations. This support includes providing weapons, equipment, training and logistical support to help bolster Ukraine’s defenses and deter further aggression from Russia.

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