In brief
German federal prosecutors have arrested three Ukrainian men connected to a plot to send explosive devices to Ukraine, believed to be orchestrated by Russian state actors.
Three Ukrainian nationals have been arrested in Germany and Switzerland for allegedly plotting acts of sabotage against European infrastructure at the behest of Russia, according to the German federal prosecutor’s office. The arrests, made within a five-day span, involve suspicions that the men intended to mail incendiary and explosive devices in parcels directed to locations in Ukraine. The prosecutor's statement revealed that the accused were engaged in a scheme to disrupt logistical operations for commercial freight. However, specific potential targets have not been disclosed. One man, identified only as Vladyslav T., reportedly sent out two test packages from Cologne, embedding GPS transmitters to monitor their route to Ukraine. Another suspect, Yevhen B., who was apprehended on Tuesday in Switzerland, orchestrated these activities, while the third individual, Daniil B., allegedly provided GPS units and other materials requisite for the test.German authorities regard the arrested individuals as foreign agents, suggesting they were operating under directives from Russian officials. This latest episode follows last year's explosion at a DHL hub in Leipzig, which Western intelligence interprets as a trial for a broader operation by Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU. That incident was closely followed by similar blazes at a DHL facility in Birmingham, UK, and at a transport depot near Warsaw.There are also reports linking recent fires to Russian sabotage activity, including a fire at a shopping mall in Warsaw that devastated many small businesses. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has recently accused Russian special services of orchestrating that arson.These arrests come amid an escalating recognition by German officials of the country’s vulnerability to hybrid attacks from Russia. In a recent address to lawmakers, Chancellor Friedrich Merz underscored the persistent threat of espionage and sabotage emanating from the Russian government and its affiliates, reinforcing the need for vigilance in safeguarding national interests.Christopher F. Schuetze reports from Berlin, focusing on political, societal, and cultural issues in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
