Suspected Russian spy arrested in Brandenburg

Arrest in Brandenburg Russian spy is said to have spied on arms companies As of: October 22, 2026 • 1:32 p.m

In Brandenburg, the police have arrested a suspected spy. He is said to have spied on arms companies in the service of Russia. The man himself is said to be of Ukrainian origin and comes from Russian-occupied territory.

Police and federal prosecutors investigators arrested a suspected Russian spy in Brandenburg this morning. The man is said to be a Ukrainian citizen from the Luhansk region annexed by Russia.

Holger Schmidt, SWR, on the extent of Russian espionage in Germany tagesthemen, Das Erste, October 22, 2026 • 10:15 p.m. The investigators are convinced that the 53-year-old has worked for a Russian intelligence service since at least July 2025 and that his personal attitude is on the side of Russia and against Ukraine in the war. He is said to have spied on companies and people involved in arms production. In particular, it is said to have been about tanks and ammunition for NATO's eastern flank.

Before the drone was found at Leipzig/Halle Airport, there was said to have been an explosion nearby. more

Investigators from the Federal Prosecutor's Office, together with the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, tracked him down. The man lived in Eisenhüttenstadt, Brandenburg, and was arrested in the Oder-Spree district. He is scheduled to be brought before the investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice tomorrow.

Investigators also attribute other espionage and sabotage operations in recent months to Russia, such as the drone containing explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport at the beginning of August.

This topic in the program: tagesschau.de | Suspected Russian spy arrested in Brandenburg | Oct 22, 2016 | 1:29 p.m