"The incident is emblematic of the threats that the West, Germany and other EU countries see coming from Russia. Above all, it highlights how close potential Russian agents can get to politicians in Germany. In a press photo released by the Ukrainian government, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is sitting next to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during an economic event in Berlin in December. Just two rows behind Zelenskyy and Merz sits the woman who has now been exposed as a possible spy for Russia."
"On Wednesday of this week (January 21, 2026), German-Ukrainian Ilona W.* was arrested in Berlin. She is alleged to have been in contact with an employee of the Russian embassy since at least November 2023: "On various occasions, the accused provided him with information relating to the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, among other things," the Federal Prosecutor's Office said."
"The authorities also explained what this could mean in concrete terms: Ilona W. is alleged to have collected information about participants in "high-profile political events." And she is said to have passed on information to her contact about the locations of the German arms industry, drone tests and planned deliveries of drones to Ukraine. The woman was acting as a kind of lobbyist in political circles in Berlin, was known to be very energetic and had access to many high-level events as the picture from December shows."
German-Ukrainian Ilona W. was arrested in Berlin on January 21, 2026, accused of espionage for Russia and alleged contact with a Russian embassy employee since at least November 2023. Investigators say she provided information about the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine and collected details on participants at high-profile political events. She reportedly passed on locations of the German arms industry, drone tests, and planned drone deliveries to Ukraine. She operated as a lobbyist with access to many high-level events and served as chairwoman of a federal organization in Berlin. The case underscores perceived threats from Russia and the proximity of potential agents to top politicians.
Read at www.dw.com
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