Published March 17, 2026 — last updated March 17, 2026
Three Ukrainian nationals are standing trial in Stuttgart on accusations they spied for Russia by planting GPS tracking devices in postal parcels bound for Ukraine. The defendants, aged 22, 25 and 30 and resident in Germany, are alleged to have conducted tracking operations from Konstanz and Cologne. Prosecutors also say the suspects attempted to place explosives in packages destined for Germany or areas of Ukraine under Russian occupation.
Investigators contend the men monitored how goods were shipped from EU countries to Ukraine and passed logistics data to Russian contacts. The case opened in Stuttgart amid heightened scrutiny of suspected foreign intelligence activities in Germany since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Separately, widespread transport strikes called by the Ver.di union have disrupted services across several German states. Walkouts are under way in Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg, and Bremen, Hesse and Brandenburg have warned they will join if negotiations over pay and working conditions fail. Ver.di has also announced a planned strike at Berlin-Brandenburg airport that could cancel hundreds of flights and affect tens of thousands of passengers. Transport workers cite long hours and wages that have lagged behind inflation.
In the cultural scene, a new ballet about Rudolf Nureyev that was banned in Russia over its depiction of same-sex relationships is set to premiere in Berlin. “Nureyev,” which traces the life of the Soviet-born dancer who defected to France in 1961 and later led the Paris Opera Ballet, will feature former Bolshoi dancer David Soares in the title role. The production was canceled and then banned in Russia before finding a stage in Germany.
On the political front, Chancellor Friedrich Merz is hosting European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in Berlin for talks during her two-day visit to Germany.
What you need to know:
– Three Ukrainians are accused of using GPS trackers to monitor EU-to-Ukraine shipments for Russia.
– Transport workers are striking across multiple states over pay and working conditions.
– European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is visiting Berlin for talks with Chancellor Merz.
Image caption: The three men are accused of planting GPS devices in packages bound for Ukraine (Image: Michael Bihlmayer/CHROMORANGE/picture alliance)