German police in Brandenburg arrested a Ukrainian man suspected of passing defense-related intelligence to a Russian spy agency, in a case involving military production and installations tied to NATO’s eastern flank, Deutsche Welle reported.
DW reported the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office in Karlsruhe identified the suspect as Vadym Y. Prosecutors allege his contact with an intermediary dates to July 2025 and that he sought information through relationships with European defense companies.
The alleged material reportedly covered personnel and military facilities at sites designated to protect NATO’s eastern flank, alongside defense manufacturing. Prosecutors cited armored vehicles, ammunition and explosives among the production subjects, DW reported.
DW placed the arrest against a backdrop of German concern over sabotage, including a Leipzig airport incident in which a drone carrying explosives was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane. Berlin blamed Moscow for the attempted attack.
DW reported German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the arrest did not surprise him and that he expected further cases. The suspect was expected to appear before a judge Friday, Oct. 23, according to the report.
