BILD: Serbia detains two suspected Russian agents over sabotage plot

Two suspected Russian agents have been detained in Serbia on suspicion of planning a sabotage operation in Germany targeting a defence industry facility involved in supporting Ukraine, according to BILD. 

The suspects were arrested at the Serbian-Hungarian border in early June. They were allegedly acting on behalf of Russian intelligence services, with a dangerous explosive device found in their luggage.

According to the report, the arrests were made possible through intelligence shared by allied security services and German authorities.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt had previously revealed that authorities had thwarted preparations for an "explosion" with a "target location in Germany." He said the planned attack was prevented after security services placed those allegedly involved under surveillance.

The reported plot comes amid heightened concerns over alleged Russian hybrid activities in Germany. In its 2025 annual report, Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution said the country is regularly targeted by Russian hybrid attacks.

The report follows other ongoing investigations linked to suspected Russian intelligence activities. German authorities previously detained Sergei K., a Kazakhstan-born man suspected of working for Russian intelligence. Separately, a trial is underway in Stuttgart involving three Ukrainian nationals from the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol, who are accused of planning routes for explosive devices disguised as parcels.

By Sabina Mammadli