Russia detains German man accused of serving in Ukrainian army

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 16:02 · Archive

Russia's Federal Security Service says it has detained a German national accused of serving in the Ukrainian army and facing mercenary charges.

Russia's Federal Security Service, the successor to the Soviet KGB, said Wednesday it has detained a German national facing charges for allegedly serving in the Ukrainian army. The FSB did not name the man or provide other identifying details, nor did it say where or when he was detained.

According to the FSB, the man served in Ukraine's military from 2016 to 2018 and later signed a three-year contract in 2025 before deserting after not receiving payment. The agency also alleged he was involved in hostilities in Afghanistan as part of the German military contingent, as well as in Somalia and Syria. He faces criminal charges in Russia for mercenary activities, though the FSB's allegations could not be independently verified.

Kathrin Deschauer, a spokeswoman for the German Foreign Ministry, said German authorities were aware of the report. She declined to comment further, stating only that 'our priority is first and foremost to clarify the facts, which we are of course pursuing'. The detention follows recent FSB announcements of detaining a Swedish man on border-crossing charges and arresting a Japanese journalist on suspicion of spying.

How it is being reported

• Russia says it has detained a German who faces charges for serving in Ukrainian armyRussia's top domestic security agency says it has detained a German national who is alleged to have served in the Ukrainian army.Clickorlando · 21 Oct, 15:24
• Russia says it has detained a German who faces charges for serving in Ukrainian armyRussia's top domestic security agency says it has detained a German national who is alleged to have served in the Ukrainian army.News4Jax · 21 Oct, 15:24

In this story: Russia · Germany · Ukraine · Federal Security Service · Kathrin Deschauer

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem