German security services have found two handguns hidden in a forest near Berlin which they believe were intended for use by Russian agents, German media reported Friday. The weapons were found last year in woods outside the German capital after a tipoff, according to public broadcasters NDR and WDR and the SZ newspaper. The joint media report said a man had been arrested in Romania, suspected of having hidden the weapons. German security services suspect the weapons were stashed for agents tasked with carrying out so-called “kinetic operations” such as assassinations on behalf of Russia. According to the report, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating “preparation for a serious act of violence endangering the state”. AFP has contacted Germany’s interior ministry and BfV domestic spy service for comment. The report said that officers initially disabled the weapons and kept the site under surveillance, but without success. Concern has grown in Germany over what western governments call “hybrid warfare” -- hostile acts of aggression short of unambiguous military attacks -- as it has backed Kyiv in its war against the Russian invasion. An explosive-laden drone was found this month at Leipzig airport, a key logistics hub for weapons sent to Ukraine, and police deployed a bomb-disposal robot to remove the detonator. The BfV has warned for some time that Russia could carry out attacks on defence industry executives, opposition figures in exile, and supporters of Ukraine. Alleged assassination plots are said to have targeted Armin Papperger, CEO of defence giant Rheinmetall, as well as Stefan Thumann, head of drone maker Donaustahl.
