German federal prosecutor probes Russian intel weapons cache in Berlin forest

Investigators have discovered two pistols in a forest near Berlin and suspect the Russian secret service. The Federal Prosecutor's Office has taken over the investigation.

Published: August 21, 2026 | 12:17 Uhr

German security authorities uncovered a cache containing two pistols near Berlin last year, according to reports from NDR, WDR, and Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ). The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) believes the cache to be a secret weapons depot operated by the Russian secret service.

There are indications that the weapons may have been intended for "kinetic operations" planned by Moscow—a term referring to attacks or other assaults.

Attempt to Catch Perpetrators Red-Handed Failed

German security authorities equipped the found weapons with GPS trackers, rendered them inoperable, and waited for them to be collected. According to insiders, the cache is now considered "dead": it is highly likely that the perpetrators became aware of the police operation around the depot last year and are therefore avoiding it.

The Federal Prosecutor's Office is now investigating a suspect on suspicion of espionage activity and preparation of a serious act of violence endangering the state.

Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) confirmed the reports during a press conference. The suspect is said to have been arrested in Romania in the fall. According to NDR, WDR, and SZ, the man may have set up the weapons cache in the Brandenburg border area near the federal capital.

Historical Context

According to SZ, WDR, and NDR, secret weapons depots were already common during Soviet times and were part of the "standard repertoire of the former Soviet Union."

This article is based on reporting by dpa and taz.