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German-Ukrainian businesswoman charged with spying for Russia in Berlin
German federal prosecutors have charged Ilona Wiener, a 57-year-old dual German-Ukrainian businesswoman, with acting as an agent for Russian intelligence. Wiener, who operated a marketing agency and a lobbying organization in Berlin, is accused of using her extensive political and military connections to gather sensitive information for the Kremlin.
Investigators allege that since at least October 2023, Wiener maintained contact with a Russian intelligence officer stationed at the Russian Embassy in Berlin, identified as GRU officer Andrei Mayorov. Prosecutors claim she provided him with information regarding high-profile political events, including a NATO discussion in November 2023 and the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum in December 2025. She is also accused of using a false name to facilitate Mayorov's access to a meeting of German military reservists in February 2024.
Furthermore, the indictment states that Wiener attempted to recruit individuals from the German Federal Ministry of Defense and the arms industry. Her activities reportedly focused on obtaining intelligence regarding German defense policy and the defense industry, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Wiener was arrested in January and remains in custody while the court decides on the timing of her trial.
Entities
Andrei M. · Andrei Mayorov · Andrej M. · Berlin · Federal Ministry of Defense · GRU · German federal prosecutor · Ilona W. · Ilona Wiener · Russian Embassy in Berlin
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Andrei M. left Germany in early 2024. www.businessdaily.gr · www.capital.gr · www.real.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Russian diplomat, Andrei M., was an officer of the GRU intelligence service. www.businessdaily.gr · www.capital.gr · www.real.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ilona B. provided sensitive information to a Russian official starting in November 2023. www.businessdaily.gr · www.capital.gr · www.real.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The German government stated that Chancellery security was always guaranteed. www.businessdaily.gr · www.capital.gr · www.real.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Information was collected regarding the 'NATO Discussion' and the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum. www.businessdaily.gr · www.capital.gr · www.real.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ilona B. used a false name to secure access for Andrei M. to a German military reservist meeting in February 2024. www.businessdaily.gr · www.capital.gr · www.real.gr
- [● 6 SOURCES] The accused systematically collected information on participants in high-profile political and military gatherings. www.businessdaily.gr · www.capital.gr · www.real.gr · www.diepresse.com · www.europesays.com · +1 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] Ilona W. is charged with intelligence agency activity on behalf of Russia. www.businessdaily.gr · www.capital.gr · www.real.gr · www.diepresse.com · www.beck-aktuell.de · +12 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The accused used a false name to secure access for the suspected handler to a German military reservist meeting in February 2024. www.businessdaily.gr · www.capital.gr · www.morgenpost.de · www.europesays.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The contact at the Russian embassy was identified as a GRU intelligence officer working under diplomatic cover. www.businessdaily.gr · www.capital.gr · www.morgenpost.de · www.europesays.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The accused attempted to recruit individuals from the Federal Ministry of Defense and the arms industry. www.diepresse.com · www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · www.rbb24.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.beck-aktuell.de · +1 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] The German Federal Prosecutor has filed charges against a suspected Russian spy in Berlin. www.diepresse.com · www.zeit.de · www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · www.rbb24.de · www.volksfreund.de · +11 more