German intelligence chief warns of growing threat to defense industry managers from Russian spies

Stephan Kramer, president of Thuringia's Office for the Protection of the Constitution, warned of a heightened threat environment for executives of German defense companies amid Russian espionage activities. This warning follows the arrest by German federal prosecutors of two alleged spies—a 45-year-old Romanian woman and a 43-year-old Ukrainian man—accused of spying on a businessman whose company supplies drone components to Ukraine from Bavaria. Kramer emphasized that Russia regards defense companies and their leaders, especially those supporting Ukraine, as legitimate targets, including threats ranging from intimidation to violent attacks. This threat landscape has been continuously integrated into security assessments and alerts by German security agencies. Additionally, the personal environments of defense managers may also be targeted.