Germany ousts Russian diplomat over espionage claims

Germany has expelled a Russian diplomat identified as a military intelligence officer, accusing him of espionage activities linked to the war in Ukraine and further escalating bilateral tensions, according to The Record, a news site by cybersecurity firm Recorded Future.

The German Foreign Office declared the individual, named by media as Colonel Andrei Mayorov, Russia's deputy military attach and a GRU officer, persona non grata, stating it does "not accept espionage in Germanyand particularly not under the cover of diplomatic status."

Mayorov is alleged to have acted as the handler for Ilona Kopylova, a dual Ukrainian-German citizen arrested earlier on suspicion of spying for Russia by gathering information on military aid to Ukraine, drone testing, and the arms industry using her defense ministry contacts. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated the expulsion signals that "Russia's aggressive actions have consequences."

The Russian Embassy in Berlin rejected the allegations as an "absurd, hastily concocted provocation" and warned of retaliation. This incident follows months of heightened friction, including German accusations of Russian cyberattacks on air traffic control, disinformation campaigns ahead of the 2025 election, and cyber intrusions targeting defense and political entities, which previously led Berlin to recall its ambassador to Moscow.