Rudolph Angler German prosecutors have charged three men with spying for Russian intelligence and planning a possible assassination on German soil. The suspects—Robert A. from Ukraine, Vardges I. from Armenia, and Arman S. from Russia—were arrested on June 19, 2024, in Frankfurt. Authorities allege the men acted under orders from a Russian agency and were part of a broader effort to track and potentially harm individuals linked to the war in Ukraine.
The charges were made public on May 16, 2025. Due to privacy laws in Germany, officials have not released the full names of the accused. Prosecutors described the case as “especially severe” and said it highlights the rising threat of Russian-backed espionage operations in Europe. All three men remain in custody.
The trio’s mission, according to investigators, involved tracking a Ukrainian veteran who had relocated to Germany after fighting in Ukraine’s army. That veteran had served following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Authorities say the plot began in May 2024, when a Russian agency instructed Vardges I. to gather intelligence on the former soldier. He then recruited Robert A. and Arman S. to help carry out the surveillance. The team reportedly tried to lure the veteran to a cafe in Frankfurt, where they hoped to confirm his identity and collect further details.
However, the plan failed. The intended target had previously been in contact with German police, raising concerns about potential threats to his safety. As a result, the attempt was closely monitored, and the three suspects were detained shortly afterward.
This is not the first case linking Russia to covert plots in Europe. The charges come amid growing tension between Russia and Western governments, who accuse Moscow of using secret agents and criminal proxies to gather information and carry out targeted actions.
In May 2024, German and Swiss authorities arrested three Ukrainians accused of delivering explosive parcels tied to Russia. The month before, two dual German-Russian citizens were charged with plotting attacks on sensitive sites, including U.S. military facilities in Germany.
Western leaders have warned that Russia is expanding its tactics beyond traditional warfare. These include acts of sabotage, arson, cyberattacks, and the use of spies to collect intelligence or carry out violent acts.
Germany has been particularly outspoken. In July 2024, officials disrupted a plan to assassinate Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, a major weapons supplier to Ukraine. The German government said the plot was linked to Russian interests, further straining bilateral ties.
One of the most well-known cases of Russian-linked violence in Germany dates back to 2019. That year, a Georgian man was murdered in a Berlin park. The killer, Vadim Krasikov, was convicted by a German court, which found that the Russian state had ordered the hit. Krasikov entered Germany with false documents and used a silenced handgun to commit the crime. He was later released as part of a prisoner exchange between Germany and Ukraine in early 2024.
Security officials in Berlin say these plots are part of a broader strategy by Moscow to silence critics, gather military intelligence, and spread fear among Ukrainian communities living abroad. Experts say Russian operations have become more aggressive and less discreet since the start of the war in Ukraine.
The recent arrests underscore how Germany is increasing its efforts to counter foreign espionage and protect individuals at risk. Authorities continue to monitor other possible threats linked to Russian intelligence activity.
As this case moves forward, prosecutors say more evidence may be presented that could uncover additional suspects or reveal further connections to Russian state actors.