German Authorities Investigate Vehicle Sabotage with Suspected Russian Links

Five suspects have been identified in connection with the sabotage of 170 vehicles, as investigators examine potential financial ties to Russian intelligence.

• Approximately 170 vehicles in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Brandenburg have been sabotaged using construction foam, causing widespread disruption.
• Five suspects, including two individuals with prior criminal records, have been identified by German authorities; one suspect is a 19-year-old woman with no prior convictions.
• Searches of six properties in Baden-Württemberg resulted in the seizure of mobile phones and electronic data carriers as part of the ongoing investigation.
• German authorities are investigating possible connections between the sabotage acts and Russian intelligence, citing indications of financial incentives for the perpetrators.
• Security agencies report a broader trend of Russian actors recruiting petty criminals for sabotage and espionage, attributed to increased challenges for traditional intelligence operations in Western countries.

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