Berlin Businesswoman Charged with Spying for Russia

German federal prosecutors have charged a 57 year old Berlin businesswoman with conducting intelligence activities for Russia. Ilona W. who holds both German and Ukrainian citizenship, was arrested on January 21 and remains in pre trial detention. Prosecutors allege that she used her position as a marketing agency owner and chair of a lobbying association to leverage contacts within military and political circles. According to the indictment, she maintained contact with a Russian intelligence officer at the Russian Embassy in Berlin starting in October 2023. She allegedly provided this officer with information about high profile events and helped him arrange access, sometimes using a false name, to build an intelligence network. Additionally, she is accused of attending events to identify potential targets and attempting to recruit individuals from the German Defense Ministry and the arms industry. Her alleged efforts focused on gathering information regarding German defense policy and the defense industry, specifically in relation to the war in Ukraine. Following her arrest, Germany expelled the suspected Russian intelligence officer, which led Moscow to expel a German diplomat in retaliation.