German-Ukrainian woman arrested in Berlin on suspicion of spying for Russia

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - German authorities on Wednesday arrested a German-Ukrainian woman on suspicion of espionage for Russia, alleging that she gathered sensitive intelligence on arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Federal prosecutors said Ilona W. was suspected of acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service, maintaining contact with an intelligence operative at the Russian Embassy in Berlin since at least November 2023.

“On several occasions, the accused provided him with information relating to the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine,” the Federal Prosecutor's Office said in a statement.

“She compiled background information on participants in high-profile political events and gathered information on the locations of arms manufacturers, drone tests, and planned drone deliveries to Ukraine,” it said.

Authorities also claimed that the suspect contacted former employees of the German Defense Ministry, with whom she had personal connections, to obtain information. They added that the investigations were ongoing.