Serbia arrests two suspected Russian agents near Hungarian border; possible sabotage plot in Germany

Serbian police detained two individuals at the Serbian-Hungarian border in early June, suspected of being Russian agents. According to the German tabloid Bild, an explosive device was found in their luggage. The suspected target was a defense industry facility connected to support for Ukraine.

Bild reported that the arrest was made possible “by information from friendly intelligence agencies and Germany’s security services.” In mid-June, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced that authorities had prevented an explosion by placing those involved in planning the attack under surveillance, without providing further details.

German newspaper Die Welt reported that the planned attack was to take place in Bavaria. Security service sources said Russian intelligence agencies were involved in preparing the explosion.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, Western countries that back Kyiv have regularly reported the detention of Russian agents, spies, and saboteurs. Citing a 2025 report from Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Bild notes that German authorities believe the country is regularly targeted by Russian hybrid attacks.