Germany probes Russian links to weapons cache found in woods

German intelligence agencies have concluded that firearms seized in a German investigation last year were intended for use in assassination operations carried out on behalf of Moscow, according to reports. The Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) identified the weapons as having been specially modified and marked in a manner consistent with covert operational use. The findings suggest that the guns were not merely for personal defense but were prepared for targeted killings, raising concerns about foreign influence and potential threats to national security.

The intelligence assessment has prompted a coordinated investigation involving German law‑enforcement and security services. Authorities are examining possible links between the weapons and Russian intelligence networks, while also reviewing the broader context of Russian covert activity within Europe. The investigation remains ongoing, with German officials emphasizing the importance of safeguarding public safety and countering foreign‑state espionage efforts.