Suspected of spying for Russia: Joint investigation by Germany, Poland, and Romania
The 24-year-old is suspected of belonging to a group that planned attacks and sabotage in NATO member states, according to an investigation by the German magazine Der Spiegel. Among the charges: smuggling explosives into Ukraine and attempted terrorist attacks. "If the devices had exploded, everyone in the vicinity would have been in danger," it was written.
Authorities in Germany are monitoring a young man who was in the country on suspicion of spying for Russia. This was revealed today, Tuesday, in an investigation by the magazine Der Spiegel.
Vadim, 24, is suspected of belonging to a group that planned attacks and sabotage in NATO member states. According to details obtained by Der Spiegel from the German security establishment, the suspect is under intelligence investigation following possible involvement in smuggling explosive devices into Ukraine. Last October, Vadim arrived in Berlin and hid packages containing pistols there. One of the pistols was of a model used by the Russian police since the fifties. Polish investigators managed to track the suspect's mobile phone and, in cooperation with the German police, managed to locate the weapons.
Vadim was arrested in Romania a few weeks after his visit to Berlin on suspicion of being involved in attempts to send explosive devices through the Ukrainian postal service. According to court materials, Vadim tried to send various items such as car accessories that were booby-trapped and contained explosives.
"If the devices had exploded, everyone in the vicinity would have been in danger," it was written.
Polish intelligence uncovered a direct link between Vadim and agencies in Russia. According to their findings, the suspect's uncle had contacted several young people in the past and incited them to carry out actions similar to those Vadim had committed. Germany, Poland, and Romania are conducting the investigation in cooperation. At this stage, Vadim, who was arrested in Romania, is being brought to trial in Bucharest.
The case of Vadim joins a series of similar events across Europe, in which unidentified drones were located near airports, military facilities, and logistics infrastructure. Germany and other European countries have previously accused Russian entities of sabotage and espionage, claims that Moscow repeatedly denies. In Berlin, there are fears that the use of drones for intelligence gathering or carrying out attacks could become a central tool in the campaign against European countries that support Ukraine. Despite the Russian connection, for the time being, authorities in Germany are not linking Vadim's case to the explosive drones that were located this month near Leipzig airport.
Great Britain was also at the heart of the threats. In a statement published by the Russian embassy in London, it was claimed that Great Britain "deliberately chose to escalate the crisis in Ukraine," following confirmation that British-made drones were used by Ukraine to attack targets on its territory.
"London's actions will necessarily have consequences, and it will be required to answer for them," the embassy stated. Moscow added that as Great Britain's involvement in the war deepens, "the price it will pay will rise."
