The detention of a German citizen in Russia, reported by Russian media on November 20, actually occurred in October, according to Katrin Deschauer, spokesperson for Germany’s Foreign Ministry, reports Ukrinform.
She clarified this timeline during a press briefing, refuting claims of a recent arrest. Deschauer confirmed that the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg was informed about the case, noting that the detainee holds only German citizenship.
However, Germany provides consular support to individuals with dual citizenship as well.
The German Foreign Ministry has emphasized its awareness of a "small double-digit number" of German nationals imprisoned in Russia.
Amid heightened tensions, it strongly advises its citizens against traveling to the Russian Federation.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) alleges that the detained individual, identified as 57-year-old Mykola Hayduk, entered the Kaliningrad region from Poland to carry out sabotage at an energy facility.
Smuggled in shampoo bottles
According to the FSB, Hayduk was transporting explosives disguised as shampoo and is connected to a previous attack in Kaliningrad in March, where gas pipes were damaged using an improvised explosive device.
The agency further claims that Hayduk acted on instructions from a Ukrainian agent based in Hamburg to sabotage additional facilities in the Kaliningrad region.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between Russia and Western nations, particularly Germany, amidst accusations of espionage and sabotage.
Earlier reports from Russian media also highlighted similar detentions, including that of a 22-year-old Ukrainian accused of espionage in the Kherson region.
Germany continues to monitor the situation closely while reiterating travel warnings to its citizens regarding Russia.
