Germany charges woman accused of spying for Russia

German federal prosecutors have charged a German-Ukrainian woman with allegedly spying for Russia, as Berlin steps up efforts to counter what it describes as a growing hybrid threat from Moscow.

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office said on September 14 that Ilona W., whose surname was withheld under German privacy laws, had maintained contact with an intelligence officer at the Russian Embassy in Berlin since at least October 2023, Reuters reports. 

Prosecutors allege that she gathered information about Germany’s defence policy and defence industry by establishing contacts with former employees of the Defence Ministry. She remains in pre-trial detention.

The Russian Embassy in Berlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

German officials and security services across Europe have warned of an increasing threat from Russian intelligence agencies, which they say are seeking to undermine Western support for Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ilona W. was arrested on January 21. A day later, Germany expelled a member of Russia’s diplomatic service over suspected espionage and summoned the Russian ambassador in connection with the case.

By Sabina Mammadli