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Germany Expels Russian Diplomat After Arrest in Espionage Probe Linked to War in Ukraine
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Germany has expelled a Russian diplomat accredited in Berlin after prosecutors arrested a dual German-Ukrainian woman on suspicion of espionage linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to Reuters on January 22.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry said it summoned the Russian ambassador to formally notify him of the expulsion and said in a post on X: “The German government does not tolerate espionage in Germany—especially not under the guise of diplomatic status.”
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We do not accept espionage in #Germany – and particularly not under the cover of diplomatic status. We summoned the Russian Ambassador to the Federal Foreign Office today and informed him that the individual who spied on behalf of #Russia is to be expelled. @AussenMinDE
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) January 22, 2026
Federal prosecutors said the suspect, identified as Ilona W under German privacy rules, had maintained intelligence contacts with a Russian Embassy official since at least November 2023 and is accused of gathering information related to Ukraine, including locations tied to the defense industry, drone testing, and planned drone deliveries to Ukraine.
Prosecutors said she was brought before an investigating judge and placed in pre-trial detention, while police also carried out searches linked to two other suspects, including former German military personnel.
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Reuters and German media reported the expelled diplomat was the embassy’s deputy military attaché and was suspected of acting as the main contact for the woman under investigation, while Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation said Germany’s move followed the exposure of what it described as Russian military intelligence agent activity in the country.
Earlier, it was reported that German prosecutors arrested a dual German-Ukrainian woman in Berlin on suspicion of spying for Russia by collecting information tied to Ukraine, including defense-sector and drone-related details.
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