Germany arrests Ukrainian on suspicion of spying at Bavarian arms maker
Munich prosecutors say the 33-year-old is suspected of photographing premises in June and passing images to people working for a foreign intelligence service.
German authorities have arrested a Ukrainian national on suspicion of spying at a defence supplier in Bavaria and preparing potential sabotage, prosecutors said on Thursday, 6 August 2026.
According to the Munich public prosecutor's office and the Bavarian State Criminal Police, the 33-year-old is suspected of photographing premises of a Bavarian arms manufacturer in June and handing the images to people who worked for a foreign intelligence service.
The man was detained on Sunday in the eastern federal state of Thuringia and is currently being held in investigative custody in Bavaria after a Munich court issued an arrest warrant on Monday and he was transferred to Bavarian custody.
Authorities described him as the so-called "low-level agent", a term used for recruits who carry out comparatively simple tasks on behalf of foreign services. Prosecutors said there are suspicions he acted with the aim of preparing sabotage.
The arrest was the result of co-ordinated work by security and intelligence services, carried out through the recently established Joint Centre for Countering Hybrid Threats, known as GAZ-Hybrid.
Officials declined to identify the foreign intelligence service allegedly involved and said they could not provide further details while the investigation is ongoing.
Photo: press material from the event
