Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) says it detained an unnamed German accused of fighting for Ukraine, adding to wartime cases involving foreign nationals as Berlin acknowledged seeing the report, Deutsche Welle reported Wednesday.
A German Foreign Ministry representative said Berlin had taken note of Russia’s account and would not discuss the individual’s case or provide further details. Deutsche Welle reported that the FSB did not explain how the man came to Russia or where and under what circumstances he was arrested.
The FSB said the man served in the Bundeswehr from 1996 to 2010 and received sniper training. It said he served in Afghanistan and Somalia from 2004 to 2010. The agency’s account places an alleged period of fighting in Syria before his time in eastern Ukraine, where it said he fought Russian-backed rebels from 2016 to 2018. The FSB alleged he returned to Ukraine in 2025, fought in the Donetsk region and later deserted because he had not been paid.
The agency published video with a German-speaking voice and images it said showed the man carrying a sniper rifle alongside Ukrainian forces.
Deutsche Welle reported that Russian authorities have detained hundreds of foreign nationals since the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, accusing them of espionage, sabotage and treason. A smaller number have faced mercenary allegations, which can carry lengthy prison terms, the outlet said. The FSB also detained a Swedish national the previous week on a similar accusation, and a Japanese journalist was arrested on espionage allegations, DW reported.
Also Wednesday, Russia released retired U.S. teacher Stephen Hubbard, who had denied mercenary charges. EconoTimes previously reported on Hubbard’s release from Russian custody; the Moscow City Court had sentenced him to six years and 10 months in 2024 after a closed trial.
