Russian agents suspected of planning a sabotage operation in Germany were detained in Serbia
Two people were detained at the Serbian-Hungarian border; German law enforcement officials suspect them of planning a sabotage operation on German territory on behalf of Russian intelligence services.
According to preliminary reports, the target of the sabotage may have been a defense industry facility involved in supplying weapons to Ukraine.
However, the name of the company has not been disclosed.
The publication notes that the detainees were likely so-called “one-time agents”—operatives recruited to carry out specific operations in exchange for a small monetary reward.
The arrests were made possible thanks to information received from German intelligence agencies and the intelligence services of partner countries.
According to Bild, the prevention of this sabotage was one of the first known results of the work of the Joint Center for Countering Hybrid Threats (GAZ Hybrid), which began operations in Berlin in June.
The center coordinates efforts to combat espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns that could pose a threat to the security of Germany and its allies.
According to Bild, an explosive device was found on the suspects during their arrest.
Prior to this, in June 2026, a joint operation by the police, the Ministry of Defense, and the General Security Service (Shin Bet) led to the arrest in Israel of Behruz Sobirgon, a citizen of Tajikistan who also holds Russian citizenship.
