Russian agents arrested on Serbia‑Hungary border for planned bomb attack in Germany

German security agencies say two Russian operatives, described as “single‑use agents,” were detained by Serbian police at the Serbia‑Hungary external EU border in early June. An explosive device was found in their luggage. Authorities believe the men were preparing a bomb attack on a German defence‑industry facility that supplies arms to Ukraine, though the specific company and location have not been disclosed.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed that the plot was foiled and that German and Serbian intelligence, together with other partner services, had monitored the suspects before they could act. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) indicated that Russia has increasingly employed paid operatives for limited sabotage missions across Europe, a tactic highlighted in its recent threat assessment. The incident follows other alleged Russian‑linked incidents in Germany, such as the 2024 DHL fire at Leipzig airport and a blaze at Berlin’s Diehl weapons plant, underscoring the heightened risk of hybrid attacks aimed at destabilising European support for Ukraine.