Merz states Germany is target of 'intensive' espionage after suspected Russian spy arrest

Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Germany is the target of "intensive" espionage activity following the arrest of Vadym Y., a Ukrainian national suspected of spying for Russia. Officials reported that Vadym Y. allegedly collected military-related intelligence from Germany, including information on "the production of armoured vehicles, ammunition, and explosives," through contact with a Russian intelligence service since at least July 2025. Merz warned that Russian intelligence activities in Germany remain at a consistently high level, noting several other arrests this year, including a woman in Berlin suspected of gathering information for a Russian embassy officer and a Ukrainian man accused of spying on a drone supplier to Ukraine.