Trio of Ukrainian Nationals Arrested in Germany for Alleged Sabotage Plans Linked to Russia

Three men from Ukraine were arrested in Germany and Switzerland for planning sabotage against commercial infrastructure in Europe, following a series of warnings about Russian hybrid tactics targeting Germany.

In a significant development, three Ukrainian nationals were arrested in Germany and Switzerland for allegedly plotting sabotage activities targeting commercial freight infrastructure across Europe. The German federal prosecutor's office confirmed on Wednesday that these individuals were apprehended over a span of five days and are under investigation for their plans to send incendiary and explosive devices to addresses within Ukraine.

The prosecutor did not disclose specific targets but indicated that the intent was to damage logistical capabilities. One of the suspects, referred to as Vladyslav T., allegedly sent out two test parcels from Cologne containing GPS devices to track their destination to Ukraine. Another suspect, Yevhen B., was arrested in Switzerland and is set to be extradited to Germany. According to officials, Yevhen B. orchestrated these actions, while a third individual, Daniil B., assisted in delivering the GPS transmitters and other materials.

Authorities are treating these suspects as foreign agents, operating under the direction of Russian state entities. This incident follows previous events that have heightened concerns regarding Russian hybrid attacks in Germany. A notable incident last year involved an explosion at a DHL hub in Leipzig, which intelligence officials suspect was a trial run for a coordinated plot by the Russian military intelligence agency, GRU. Additional fires linked to similarly coordinated activities were reported in the UK and Poland.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has directly accused Russia of orchestration behind a fire that devastated a shopping mall in Warsaw, raising alarm about ongoing sabotage efforts. The German government is responding to growing threats, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressing the prevalence of espionage, sabotage, and disinformation attributed to Russian sources in his inaugural remarks to lawmakers.

These arrests occur against a backdrop of increasing vigilance by German authorities regarding potential threats posed by foreign actors. The investigations into the conduct of these three men reflect a wider concern about the skillful undertakings of Russian hybrid warfare in the region, with ongoing implications for safety and security within Europe.