In brief
Germany has intensified its counter‑intel efforts following the arrest of Vadym Y., a Ukrainian national accused of collecting sensitive military data for Russian services. The probe ties into a series of arrests this year of individuals linked to Russian espionage, including a former BND chief and a former BND employee. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared that Russian intelligence remains a persistent threat and urged continued cooperation with the United Kingdom to counter hybrid threats.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that Russia’s intelligence services are operating at a consistently high level after the arrest of Vadym Y., a Ukrainian national suspected of collecting military intelligence for Russian interests.
Authorities say Vadym Y. had gathered information on German production of armoured vehicles, ammunition and explosives, and had been in contact with a Russian intelligence service via an intermediary since at least July 2025.
The suspect is scheduled to appear before an investigating judge this Friday.
This case is part of a broader pattern: earlier this year, German police arrested a Romanian woman and a Ukrainian man accused of spying on a German drone supplier, and a woman in Berlin suspected of working for the Russian embassy.
In a separate development, former BND chief August Hanning was detained on charges of espionage and treason, and a former BND employee, Manfred D., was accused of handing over approximately 2,000 classified documents to Hanning for payment.
Merz emphasised that such incidents are likely to increase, noting that Germany will continue strengthening security ties with the United Kingdom, including joint measures against hybrid threats.
