FSB says it detained German citizen who deserted from Ukraine's army
In short
Russia's FSB said on 21 October that Russian law enforcement detained a German citizen who signed a three-year contract with Ukraine's armed forces in November 2025 and then deserted, saying he was not paid. The FSB said a decision is being made on a criminal case for mercenary activity under Article 359. Germany's foreign ministry said it was looking into the circumstances.
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Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on 21 October that Russian law enforcement had detained a German citizen who had signed a contract with Ukraine's army and then deserted. The FSB Public Relations Center said the detainee was a serving member of Ukraine's armed forces. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 ]
According to the FSB, the man arrived in Ukraine in November 2025 and signed a three-year contract with Ukraine's armed forces, but deserted after not receiving the promised remuneration. RIA Novosti reported that the promised sum was 100,000 hryvnia and that he had gone to Switzerland before returning to Ukraine to earn money. Kommersant quoted the FSB as saying he came to Ukraine again for the purpose of earning money. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
The FSB also described his earlier record. It said he took part in fighting in Afghanistan with the German contingent in 2004-2010, in the armed conflict in Somalia in 2006-2008 and in Syria as a mercenary in 2008-2010. In 2016-2018, the FSB said, he served as a sniper in a territorial defence unit of Ukraine's armed forces that included British citizens. Meduza, summarising the FSB statement, wrote that he fought in eastern Ukraine on Ukraine's side in those years. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
The FSB said a procedural decision is being made on opening a criminal case against him under Article 359 of the Russian criminal code, which covers mercenary activity. Meduza wrote that a case had been opened. Kommersant noted that the FSB did not say where he was detained, and Meduza noted that the FSB did not say how he came to be in Russia. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
TASS reported that the FSB showed video of the detainee, and RIA Novosti published a report headlined that the detained man explained why he deserted. The documents do not give the content of that report. TASS also reported that German foreign ministry spokeswoman Katrin Deschauer declined to say whether the detainee is a former Bundeswehr soldier, and that the ministry is looking into the circumstances of the detention. [ 4 , 10 , 11 ]
Vedomosti and Meduza recalled that on 15 October the FSB reported detaining a Swedish citizen in the Pskov region. Vedomosti wrote that, according to the FSB, he had fought for Ukraine's armed forces and then crossed the border illegally to prepare sabotage. Vedomosti also cited a statement by Russian foreign ministry envoy Rodion Miroshnik on 22 August, who put the number of foreign mercenaries in Ukraine's armed forces at 16,000 to 20,000. [ 6 , 7 ]
Why it matters
The announcement comes six days after the FSB reported detaining a Swedish citizen in the Pskov region. Germany's foreign ministry has not confirmed details about the detainee, so the FSB account has no independent confirmation in these documents.
Key facts
- The FSB Public Relations Center said a German citizen, a serving member of Ukraine's armed forces, was detained. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- The FSB said he arrived in Ukraine in November 2025, signed a three-year contract with the Ukrainian army and deserted after not receiving the promised payment. [ 1 , 6 , 7 ]
- RIA Novosti reported the promised sum was 100,000 hryvnia. [ 3 ]
- The FSB said he fought in Afghanistan with the German contingent in 2004-2010, in Somalia in 2006-2008 and in Syria as a mercenary in 2008-2010. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 7 ]
- The FSB said that in 2016-2018 he served as a sniper in a territorial defence unit of Ukraine's armed forces that included British citizens. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- The FSB said a procedural decision is being made on opening a criminal case under Article 359 (mercenary activity) of the Russian criminal code. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether a criminal case has already been opened. Interfax, RIA Novosti, Kommersant and Vedomosti quote the FSB saying a decision on opening a case is being made, while Meduza writes that a case has been opened.
- Where the man was detained and how he came to be in Russia. Kommersant says where he was detained is not specified, and Meduza says the FSB does not say how he ended up in Russia.
- Whether the detainee is a former Bundeswehr soldier. TASS reported that German foreign ministry spokeswoman Katrin Deschauer declined to say whether he is.
- The details of his service in Ukraine in 2016-2018. Most outlets say he was a sniper in a territorial defence unit, while Meduza says he fought in eastern Ukraine on the Ukrainian side.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Interfax and TASS publish the FSB's announcement of the detention. [ 1 , 2 ]
- RIA Novosti reports the detention, citing the FSB Public Relations Center. [ 3 ]
- TASS reports that the FSB showed video of the detainee. [ 4 ]
- RIA Novosti publishes a report headlined that the detainee explained why he deserted. [ 10 ]
- TASS reports that the German foreign ministry is looking into the circumstances of the detention. [ 11 ]