In a recent crackdown in Bavaria, Germany, authorities have detained two individuals linked to Russian special services who were allegedly planning to sabotage military infrastructure to disrupt the flow of military support from Germany to Ukraine.
The arrest was first reported by the German magazine Spiegel.
The Investigation
The Federal Prosecutor General, Jens Rommel, led the operation that resulted in the arrests in Bavaria.
The primary suspect, 39-year-old Dieter S. of Russian-German descent, is believed to have been in communication with Russian intelligence about conducting sabotage activities in Germany since October 2023.
Allegedly, he agreed to target military infrastructure, weapons factories, and industrial facilities through arson and explosions. The operations were specifically aimed at disrupting transport routes used for shipping military supplies, with the intent of weakening German military support for Ukraine.
One of the key sites under surveillance by the accused is located in Grafenwehr, Bavaria, which houses a significant military training ground. Here, the US Army conducts training exercises, including with Ukrainian forces on Abrams main battle tanks.
Background of the Suspects
Dieter S. is not new to the German security services; he previously fought with the "DNR" militants between 2014 and 2016, a group now classified by Germany as a terrorist organization. Consequently, he faces charges of belonging to a foreign terrorist organization.
Dieter S.'s accomplice, 37-year-old Alexander Y., also of Russian-German descent, has been charged as an agent of Russian intelligence.
Further investigations have been launched against Dieter S. due to possession of a firearm and suspicions of preparing a state-threatening violent act.
Following their arrest, the suspects were transported to Karlsruhe and presented before the judges of the Federal Court, where they were placed in custody.
Wider Context of Russian Interference
This incident is part of a broader pattern of Russian attempts to destabilize European support for Ukraine.
The Czech Republic has reported "thousands" of Russian attempts to disrupt European railway operations and sabotage critical infrastructure as part of a broader campaign to destabilize the EU. Following recent revelations of pro-Russian influence networks in the Czech Republic and Poland, Czech Prime Minister Peter Fiala indicated that similar disclosures might emerge in other nations.
