Germany Arrests Kazakh National Suspected of Spying for Russia
Germany arrested a Kazakh national in Berlin, identified as Sergej K, on suspicion of spying for Russia. Prosecutors say he provided details on German military aid to Ukraine and photos of NATO convoys and Berlin buildings.
German authorities have arrested a Kazakh national in Berlin on suspicion of spying for Russia, according to a statement from the German Federal Prosecutor's Office.
The man, identified only as Sergej K, had been in 'continuous contact from Germany with a Russian intelligence agency' since at least May last year, the office said in a statement on Wednesday, a day after the arrest.
Prosecutors said Sergej K provided Russian agents with detailed information about Germany's military aid to Ukraine, including companies involved in the development of drones and robotic systems. He is also alleged to have sent photos of NATO military convoys and public buildings in Berlin.
Prosecutors added that other activities included offering to search for further agents in Germany, but they did not specify whether he had carried this out.
Kazakhstan and Russia have not yet responded.
Previous Cases
This case is the latest in a series of espionage and disinformation plots linked to Moscow that German authorities say they have uncovered since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Two dual German-Russian nationals were arrested in 2024 on suspicion of plotting sabotage attacks on US military bases in Germany to undermine Western military support for Ukraine.
German police have also arrested several so-called 'disposable spies' who carry out sabotage and espionage acts without formal training for Russia in exchange for small payments.
Earlier this month, Berlin summoned the Russian ambassador to condemn what it called a 'direct threat' against 'targets in Germany'.
The German Federal Foreign Office in Berlin said at the time that the threats were intended to weaken Germany's support for Ukraine. 'Our response is very clear: we will not be intimidated. Such threats and any form of espionage in Germany are completely unacceptable,' the Foreign Office said.
Germany has also accused Russian 'state-backed' hackers of carrying out an 'unacceptable' cyberattack in 2023 targeting members of the Social Democratic Party, an allegation the Russian embassy in Germany 'categorically rejects'.
Meanwhile, Russia has effectively banned German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle, citing its production of 'hostile anti-Russian propaganda'.
Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in espionage plots in Germany.
