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Berlin detains German-Ukrainian woman for Russian espionage

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Matthew Moore
January 23, 2026

In Germany, a spying scandal is worsening relations between Berlin and Moscow. Ilona W., a Berlin political networker, has been arrested for allegedly passing on German military information to Russia.

Berlin prosecutors accuse German-Ukrainian Ilona W. of sending information about German-Ukrainian defense talks and arms deliveries to her handler at the Russian embassy.

She faces up to 10 years in prison.

Germany has expelled a Russian diplomat, and two former German army employees are also under investigation.

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