All three are “strongly suspected” of working as foreign agents and planning acts of sabotage, including arson and explosive attacks, prosecutors said
read more
German prosecutors said Wednesday (May 14) that three Ukrainian nationals have been arrested in Germany and Switzerland over an alleged plot to carry out sabotage attacks on goods transports linked to Russia, as tensions between Moscow and Berlin continue to escalate.
The suspects are accused of offering to commit arson and explosive attacks inside Germany on behalf of individuals believed to be acting for Russian state authorities, according to a statement from federal prosecutors.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Authorities allege the group planned to mail explosive devices from Germany to Ukraine, where the packages would detonate during transportation. The plot is being treated as an act of foreign intelligence service activity intended to destabilize German infrastructure.
Two of the suspects, identified only as Vladyslav T. and Daniil B. in accordance with German privacy laws, were arrested in the German cities of Cologne and Konstanz. The third, Yevhen B., was detained in the Swiss canton of Thurgau and is expected to be extradited to Germany and brought before a judge.
Test packages and explosives plot
Prosecutors said Vladyslav T. posted two test packages containing GPS trackers in Cologne in late March. The operation was allegedly coordinated by Yevhen B., who supplied the contents of the packages through Daniil B.
All three are “strongly suspected” of working as foreign agents and planning acts of sabotage, including arson and explosive attacks, prosecutors said. Vladyslav T. and Daniil B. have been remanded in custody.
The arrests come amid heightened concern in Berlin over Russian-sponsored sabotage efforts in Europe, particularly as Germany continues to provide military and economic support to Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Germany on alert for Russian interference
In a speech to parliament Wednesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Me