Germany charges three suspected Russian spies accused of surveilling military sites

German prosecutors have charged three Russian-German nationals with spying for the Kremlin, according to local media reports.

The main suspect, 40-year-old Dieter S., along with his alleged accomplices Alexander J., 38, and Alex D., 43 — all residents of the Bavarian town of Bayreuth — are reportedly linked to Russian intelligence services and accused of participating in sabotage operations. A spokesperson for the German Federal Prosecutor's Office confirmed these details in a statement to the news outlet Der Spiegel.

Prosecutors allege the sabotage was designed to "undermine" Germany's military support for Ukraine. The suspects are accused of photographing military installations and railway tracks, with plans to sabotage them through explosions or arson.

They also reportedly scouted potential targets in Bavaria, including the U.S. military base in Grafenwöhr where Ukrainian soldiers are being trained, as well as arms manufacturing facilities.

The investigation into their activities spanned several months following the arrests of Dieter S. and Alexander J. in April. Authorities disclosed at the time that Dieter S. had allegedly fought for a Russian proxy armed group in occupied Eastern Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, including in battles at Donetsk International Airport.

He was already charged in October in connection to joining the group. Following the arrests, Germany’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to Berlin.

Russia-linked sabotage operations have become more frequent since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago. Kyiv's closest allies — including Poland, Germany, and the Baltic states — appear to be bearing the brunt of these activities.

Finnish authorities recently detained a tanker transporting Russian oil on suspicion of severing an undersea cable between Finland and Estonia. According to a report by a local shipping publication, the tanker had previously been equipped with “abnormal” devices suspected of monitoring NATO naval and aircraft radio communications, as well as deploying sensor-like equipment in the English Channel.

Last week, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General James Appathurai warned of the possibility that Russia could cause "substantial" casualties or economic damage by conducting arson or sabotage operations against NATO member states.