Russian security forces detain German national who served in Ukrainian army
The Public Relations Center of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has announced the detention in Russia of a German citizen who allegedly fought on Ukraine’s side, as reported by the state-owned news agency Interfax . According to the FSB, the man came to Ukraine in November 2025, signed a three-year contract to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but deserted, allegedly because he did not…
Russian security forces have detained a German national who served in the Ukrainian army, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB). The man, who arrived in Ukraine in November 2025, signed a three-year contract with the Ukrainian Armed Forces but deserted, allegedly due to a lack of promised monetary compensation. In a video released by state news agency TASS, the detainee, who does not provide his name, reveals his birth year (1976) and details his military experience, including combat operations in Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, and eastern Ukraine between 2016 and 2018.
He claims he was promised 100,000 hryvnias ($2,200) for his service but never received the payment and was forced to flee. The man is being charged under Article 359 of the Russian Criminal Code, which pertains to mercenarism, a penalty that may result in up to 20 years in prison. The FSB has also recently detained a Swedish national accused of illegal border crossing and serving in the Ukrainian army as a drone squad commander.
Moscow and Washington are reportedly discussing prisoner releases through intelligence channels, with the U.S. potentially easing sanctions in exchange.
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