BERLIN (AP) — A German court on Friday ordered a Ukrainian citizen held on suspicion of spying for Russia, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that Germany is likely to see more such cases.
The Ukrainian, identified only as Vadym Y. under German privacy rules, is accused of gathering military information for Russia, including details about arms production and personnel and military facilities involved in securing NATO’s eastern flank, federal prosecutors said.
The man is believed to have been in contact with a Russian intelligence service through an intermediary since at least July 2025. Some of the information he collected was from public sources, prosecutors said, but other data was solicited from representatives of the European arms industry.
He was arrested in Brandenburg state in northeast Germany by the federal criminal police, prosecutors said.
“It is a success today that this case was uncovered,” Merz said on Thursday during a visit to Montenegro. “But let’s not fool ourselves. The activities of the Russian intelligence service in Germany remain as intense as ever.”
Merz said Germany was likely to see more such cases “in the coming months and years.”
Several people have been arrested in Germany this year for allegedly spying on behalf of Russia. In January, a German-Ukrainian woman was arrested on suspicion of gathering intelligence for a contact at the Russian Embassy. A Romanian woman was arrested in March for allegedly spying on a person who supplied drones and components to Ukraine from Germany.
Others arrested this and last year were accused of acting on behalf of Chinese or Iranian intelligence services.
In early October, August Hanning, who led the Federal Intelligence Service, known by its German acronym BND, from 1998 to 2005, was arrested on suspicion that he had passed state secrets to a foreign intelligence agency. Prosecutors didn’t identify the foreign intelligence agency he allegedly passed classified information.
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during a press conference at the Berlin Process Leaders' Summit in Sveti Stefan, Montenegro, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)
PARIS (AP) — Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Friday expressed confidence in the NFL to make security decisions around staging a game in Paris amid recent civil unrest in the city.
The Pittsburgh star spoke at a news conference inside a downtown hotel shortly after the team arrived in the capital for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France.
“I definitely think that the NFL is alert to what's going on. This game means a lot to the NFL. If it was unsafe, then I'm sure we wouldn't be here,” Rodgers said.
A morning practice for the Steelers at Stade de France was canceled because of bad weather, the team said. There was wind and light rain in Paris on Friday morning.
The Steelers flew from Pittsburgh overnight and had planned the outdoor practice at 11 a.m. local time, but it was called off 90 minutes beforehand.
Sunday’s game is going ahead despite recent civil unrest in Paris and other cities in France. More demonstrations are planned for this weekend.
The U.S. State Department late Thursday issued a security alert: “Numerous groups submitted plans for protests on Saturday, October 24. Americans in Paris for the NFL game on Sunday, October 25 should also exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings. While permits may be filed for demonstration routes, last-minute changes can happen and protests can occur outside planned routes.”
On Wednesday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and that officials remain in contact with Parisian and French authorities.
“We’ve made all the preparations,” Goodell said. “Protests are not unusual in France, as you know, and that’s something that we will be aware of and make sure that the appropriate arrangements are made.”
A weekend event for Steelers fans was canceled Thursday because of security concerns.
The Saints are based in Versailles and practice at Stade Municipal Montbauron.
“Due to elevated wind and rain conditions, in accordance with local authorities, there will not be a media viewing portion during today’s Saints practice at Stade Municipal Montbauron,” the league's email to journalists said.
The Saints came to Paris directly from New York after beating the Giants last Sunday. Their hotel accommodations and practice facility are in Versailles, outside Paris.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks during a press conference in Paris, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers leaves a press conference in Paris, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Protesters hold a banner reading : "High school students target the Bac. The Bac (Anti-Crime Brigade) target the head " as they gather against poor education school conditions in Paris, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Teresa Suarez)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (22) warms up during an NFL football practice session in Versailles near Paris, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
An exterior view of the Stade de France with NFL branding on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, ahead of Sunday's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints. (AP Photo/Greg Payan)
