Berlin, Germany – German authorities announced on Monday that they have formally charged a Ukrainian man, Yevhen B., on suspicion of involvement in a sabotage plot using explosive devices. Authorities believe the case is linked to Russian activities, according to the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office and Politico. Prosecutors stated that the suspect recruited two accomplices to send packages from Cologne to areas in Ukraine outside the control of Russian forces. The packages contained tracking devices and incendiary materials intended to ignite in Germany or during transit. The plot was thwarted before any explosions occurred, Politico reported. Yevhen B. was subsequently arrested in Switzerland in May 2025 and extradited to Germany in December of the same year.
This case comes amid growing European concerns about so-called Russian “hybrid operations,” which include sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2012. In response, Russia recently announced the expulsion of a German diplomat, retaliating for Berlin’s expulsion of a Russian diplomat last month. Russia also accused Germany of engaging in a “spy mania.” Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Berlin did not respond to a request for comment.
The magazine noted that the number of arson and sabotage incidents linked to Russia in Europe rose to 34 in 2024. In contrast, there were only 12 incidents in 2023 and two in 2022, according to previous investigations. NATO and EU officials are expected to discuss the impact of Russia’s activities and transatlantic defense cooperation at the Munich Security Conference, which begins next Friday.
