Police have arrested two suspected Russian spies in Bayreuth, Bavaria. The saboteurs probably wanted to interfere with German aid to Ukraine.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) reaffirmed German support for Ukraine. "We will continue to provide massive support to Ukraine and will not allow ourselves to be intimidated," said the minister. Since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine launched by President Vladimir Putin, all protective measures "against hybrid threats from the Russian regime" have been ramped up. The current investigation involves a particularly serious case of suspected spy activity for Russia. The aid to Kiev in the Ukraine war should be impaired, said the German Foreign Office, citing investigative circles. The Foreign Office said the arrest took place as part of an investigation by Federal Prosecutor General Jens Rommel. On Wednesday morning (April 17,), special police forces finally arrived and arrested the suspects. They are said to have spied on US bases and planned attacks on military transport routes on behalf of the Kremlin's secret services.