Gun Stash Linked to Russian Intelligence Found in Germany

German authorities are investigating a weapon stash linked to Russian intelligence, believed to be intended for violent acts on German soil.

Germany is aiming to extradite a suspect from Romania following the discovery of a hidden cache of weapons in a forest near Berlin. According to reports, German media suggest that the stash is linked to Russian intelligence and may have been intended for use in planned assassinations.

Just two weeks prior, federal authorities had reported finding a drone equipped with explosives at Leipzig Airport. Alexander Dobrindt, the interior minister, confirmed that investigations had been initiated under suspicions of preparing a serious act of violence that poses a threat to national security. “This case demonstrates that we are operating under a high threat level,” Dobrindt told reporters. He noted that the involvement of “foreign powers” could not be ruled out.

Local media indicated that the firearms, including two handguns and ammunition, were unearthed approximately a year ago in a wooded region outside the German capital. The find came after a tip-off to agents from the domestic intelligence agency. Since then, state security and counterespionage services have been conducting covert investigations into alleged Russian intelligence activities aimed at carrying out assassinations on German territory.

German authorities opted not to remove the weapons, instead rendering them inoperable and leaving them in place. This decision was made with the hope that it would aid in gathering further intelligence during an electronic surveillance operation that has been ongoing for months. Dobrindt mentioned that no one had been seen attempting to retrieve the weapons, leading investigators to suspect that the responsible agents had become aware of the discovery, effectively rendering the stash “dead.”

The suspect sought for extradition, who remains undisclosed in terms of nationality, is described by Dobrindt as a “low-level agent.” He pointed out that several similar operatives have been detained throughout the year. Although the investigation has been ongoing for quite some time, the recent revelations prompted a sudden press conference address from Dobrindt.

Sinan Selen, head of Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, has raised alarms about increasingly aggressive tactics from Russian secret services, including direct threats of targeted attacks within Germany. Recent reports suggest that Moscow’s potential targets include executives from the arms industry, opposition figures living abroad, and key supporters of Ukraine.

While sources indicate connections between this arms cache and tactics familiar from the Cold War, past incidents, such as the arrest of individuals in Poland for attempted sabotage, continue to raise concerns about broader threats posed by Russian activities in Europe.

In 2024, there was a reported incident where a firebomb was detonated in a freight container at Leipzig Airport. Fortunately, only a changed flight schedule prevented the situation from being much more dire. Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine has utilized Leipzig as an alternate hub to transport military supplies.

This month, a German newspaper reported that Russian intelligence operatives had plotted an attack against Stefan Thumann, the head of a drone manufacturing company in Germany. The investigation suggests that Thumann is now under police protection after authorities were tipped off by a foreign intelligence service about potential threats against him.

Russia has consistently denied any involvement with acts of sabotage or intimidation against EU member states, despite mounting evidence to suggest otherwise.