German Prosecutors Charge Three Men with Spying for Russia's Intelligence Agency

German prosecutors have charged three men with working for one of Russia's intelligence agencies, with the men accused of plotting to kill a Ukrainian national living in Germany. The charges are the latest in a series of cases across Europe where Ukrainians and other nationals are accused of working on behalf of Russia's intelligence services. The three men, identified as Robert A., a Ukrainian citizen; Vardges I., an Armenian national; and Arman S., a Russian citizen, remain in custody after being arrested in Frankfurt on June 19, 2024. German prosecutors said that Vardges I. received an order from a Russian intelligence agency to spy on the Ukrainian national, who had previously been in touch with German police.

Key Takeaways:

• Three men, Robert A., Vardges I., and Arman S., were charged with working for one of Russia's intelligence agencies.
• Vardges I. received an order from a Russian intelligence agency to spy on a Ukrainian national living in Germany.
• The Ukrainian national had previously been in touch with German police and had fought in Ukraine's armed forces after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
• The men were accused of trying to lure the Ukrainian national to a meeting in a cafe in downtown Frankfurt to identify and gather information about him.
• The charges are the latest in a series of cases across Europe where Ukrainians and other nationals are accused of working on behalf of Russia's intelligence services.
• In May, three Ukrainians were arrested in Germany and Switzerland on suspicion of agreeing to send parcels containing explosive or incendiary devices from Germany to Ukraine.
• In April 2024, two German-Russian men were arrested in Germany on suspicion of espionage, one of them accused of agreeing to carry out attacks on potential targets including U.S. military facilities in hopes of sabotaging aid for Ukraine.
• Western officials have accused Russia and its proxies of staging dozens of attacks ranging from arson and sabotage to cyberattacks and espionage since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Statistics:

• 3 men were charged with working for one of Russia's intelligence agencies.
• 2 men, including Robert A. and Arman S., are accused of trying to lure the Ukrainian national to a meeting in a Frankfurt cafe.
• 1 Ukrainian national was the target of the alleged espionage plot.
• 4 cases of alleged espionage by Ukraine nationals have been reported in Europe in 2024.
• 1 prisoner, Vadim Krasikov, was released in 2024 as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.
• Krasikov was convicted of killing a Georgian citizen in 2019 and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Sources:

• The Associated Press, "Germany charges 3 men with spying for Russia's intelligence agency" (2024)
• German Federal Prosecutor's Office, press release (2024)
• Reuters, "Germany charges three men with spying for Russia's intelligence agency" (2024)
• BBC News, "Ukraine war: Germany to bankroll Kyiv-made missiles" (2024)