On June 19, 2024, three men were arrested in Frankfurt for allegedly spying on a Ukrainian ex-soldier and possibly planning a murder or abduction for Russian intelligence.

On June 19, 2024, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, three men were arrested by Hessian State Criminal Police for allegedly spying on a Ukrainian former soldier living in Germany. The suspects, possibly consisting of a Ukrainian, an Armenian, and a Russian, were found with cash, multiple passports (some genuine, some forged), and GPS tracking devices. Authorities suspect a Russian-directed operaton potentially aimed at abducting or assassinating the Ukrainian, who had alerted police in spring 2024 about suspicious contacts impersonating Ukrainian intelligence. The arrest stemmed from a police sting at a cafe where the suspects waited for a Ukrainian target who did not appear. The General Federal Prosecutor is investigating for suspected foreign intelligence activities. The Ukrainian is under police protection and also under investigation for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. The case reflects ongoing concerns about Russian hybrid warfare tactics including espionage, sabotage, and targeted violence on western soil.