A German citizen, accused of sabotage on energy infrastructure sites in Russia, was arrested in the Kaliningrad region (northwest), the Russian Security Service (FSB) said on Wednesday cited by national news agencies.
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Nikolai Gaïduk, a German citizen born in 1967, “was involved in the explosion in March 2024 at a gas distribution station” in Kaliningrad, the FSB said in this press release, affirming that he had returned to Russia from Poland, “to organize acts of sabotage on local energy infrastructure”.
A resident of Hamburg, he was arrested upon entering Russia, at a border checkpoint in Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave at the gates of the EU, according to the same source.
Half a liter of explosive liquid was seized during the inspection of his car at the Russian border, according to the FSB. According to local media, this explosive was hidden in a shampoo box.
“It was established that Mr. Gaïduk had received the order to cause an explosion and the components of a homemade explosive device from the Ukrainian citizen” Alexander Jorov, who also lives in Hamburg, assures the press release.
An investigation for “attack” and “trafficking in explosives” was opened against Mr. Gaïdouk, placed in pre-trial detention, he adds.
Cases for “sabotage”, “treason” or “terrorism” have been increasing in Russia since the start of the assault launched on Ukraine by Russian troops in February 2022.
In recent years, several Westerners, particularly Americans, have also been arrested in Russia and faced with serious charges.
Washington denounces hostage-taking to obtain the release of Russians detained abroad.
On August 1, the West and Russia carried out the largest exchange of prisoners since the end of the Cold War, including American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, freed by Moscow.
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