In brief
German intelligence has uncovered a cache of firearms and ammunition in woods outside Berlin and now believes the weapons were earmarked for Russian‑backed covert killings. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt denied confirming Russian links but warned of foreign involvement. Prosecutors are scrutinising a suspect in Romania linked to espionage and planned violent acts. The case comes amid past accusations of Russian assassination plots on German soil and illustrates Germany’s heightened security stance. The investigation underscores the ongoing threat of state‑sponsored violence and the need for vigilant counter‑intelligence measures.
German intelligence has uncovered a cache of firearms and ammunition in a forest near Berlin and believes the weapons were intended for covert killings on behalf of Russian authorities.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the federal prosecutors are investigating a suspect in Romania over espionage allegations and the “preparation of a serious act of violence threatening the state.” He denied confirming Russian links to the cache but could not rule out foreign involvement.
Security agencies have warned that Russian intelligence services are planning assassinations in Germany, potentially targeting defense industry executives or exiled opposition figures.
Aarch observations and the subsequent discovery of two handguns and ammunition have raised concerns about a possible internet‑backed plot to target individuals in Germany.
Dobrindt described the German authorities’ efforts to monitor the cache for months after rendering the weapons inoperable, yet no one approached the site.
The Interior Minister highlighted that several actors, including a suspect from Kazakhstan, were detained for alleged ties to Russian operations, and officials are exploring extradition possibilities.
Previous incidents, such as a 2024 CNN report implicating Russia in a plot to murder the head of Germany’s largest arms company and a 2021 court case involving a Russian national, signal a continuing threat to German security.
