In brief
German intelligence believes a cache of guns and ammunition discovered last year in woods near Berlin may have been intended for Russian-assigned assassinations. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt acknowledged that while he could not confirm Russian involvement, foreign powers could not be ruled out. Police found two handguns and ammunition with Berlin state police help and monitored the cache for months. This investigation follows earlier allegations of Russian plots to kill German officials and arm‑company executives.
Germany investigates Russian links to weapons cache discovered in woods near Berlin
German intelligence says a cache of guns and ammunition found in a forest on the outskirts of Berlin last year may have been intended for use in assassinations on behalf of Russia.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed federal prosecutors are investigating a suspect in Romania for potential espionage and “preparation of a serious act of violence threatening the state.” He stated he could not rule out the involvement of foreign powers, though he refused to confirm Russian links to the cache.
The police located the stash with Berlin State Police support, uncovering two handguns and ammunition. The weapons, rendered inoperable, have been under surveillance for months with no one approaching the site.
The investigation follows earlier accusations of Russian plots to kill German political figures and arms‑company executives, including a 2024 report that Russia had planned to kill the head of Rheinmetall’s German subsidiary and a 2021 court case that sentenced a Russian national to life for a murder ordered by Moscow.
Dobrindt added that prosecutors are also investigating a suspect in Romania tied to planned parcel‑bomb attacks, noting the suspect’s low‑level status. Several similar operatives have been detained this year, including one from Kazakhstan.
This case highlights the heightened threat level facing German security agencies amid ongoing Russian intelligence concerns.
