Two German-Russians Arrested in Germany for Preparing Russian Sabotage Operations Targeting Ukraine Support

In April 2024, German authorities arrested two German-Russian men, Dieter S. and Alexander J., on suspicion of preparing sabotage attacks in Germany to hinder military aid deliveries to Ukraine. Dieter S., aged 39, with dual Russian-German citizenship, had previously fought for the 'Donetsk People's Republic'—a Russia-backed separatist entity in Ukraine—between 2014 and 2016, leading to prosecution as membership in a foreign terrorist organization. Since at least October 2023, Dieter S. allegedly conducted surveillance of military sites, railway lines, and related infrastructure, collecting photos and videos to plan explosives attacks targeting supply lines for Ukrainian forces. Alexander J., aged 37, known from joint time in Donetsk, helped from March 2024. They passed intelligence to an agent of a Russian secret service. This case involves multiple German federal and state agencies and U.S. authorities, illustrating fears of Russian-backed sabotage on Western soil. Detention and investigation measures have been initiated including house searches and court-ordered pretrial detention.