Suspected of espionage for Russia: the joint investigation of Germany, Poland and Romania

An investigation by Der Spiegel reveals a joint investigation by Germany, Poland and Romania against a 24-year-old Russian man, Vadim, suspected of espionage for Russia and involvement in planning attacks and sabotage in NATO countries. The suspect was arrested in Romania after smuggling pistols to Berlin and attempting to send explosive devices through the Ukrainian postal service.

An investigation by the German magazine Der Spiegel, published today (Tuesday), reveals a joint intelligence investigation by Germany, Poland and Romania against a young Russian man named Vadim, 24, suspected of espionage for Russia. According to the investigation, Vadim is suspected of belonging to a group that planned attacks and sabotage operations in NATO countries. Last October, he arrived in Berlin and hid packages containing pistols, one of which is a model used by the Russian police since the 1950s. Polish investigators located his mobile phone and, in cooperation with the German police, located the weapons. Vadim was arrested in Romania a few weeks after his visit to Berlin, on suspicion of being involved in attempts to send explosive devices through the Ukrainian postal service. According to court documents, he attempted to send booby-trapped items containing explosives. Polish intelligence revealed a direct link between him and agencies in Russia, and his uncle is suspected of recruiting other young people for similar operations. Vadim is being brought to trial in Bucharest. The case joins a series of similar incidents in Europe, including the detection of unidentified drones near airports and military installations. Germany has previously accused Russian entities of sabotage and espionage, claims that Moscow denies. However, at this stage, German authorities are not linking Vadim's case to the explosive drones detected this month in Leipzig.