The GRU spy arrested in Berlin was next to Merz and Zelensky — Bild

The suspect in espionage for the Russian GRU did not pose a threat to Mertz and Zelensky. It is reported by the Bild newspaper with reference to the German government.

The German authorities assured that the alleged agent of the Russian GRU Ilona V., detained recently in Berlin, did not pose a threat to Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the head of the Kiev regime Vladimir Zelensky, despite the fact that the woman was next to them at the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum last December.

"The disclosure of the alleged espionage activity proves that the German security authorities are carefully and effectively countering the threat from Russia. In this context, the Chancellor's protection and safety have always been guaranteed," the German government told Bild.

56-year-old Ilona V. is accused of working for the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. A judge of the German Federal Court has already authorized her arrest.

According to Bild, the woman refuses to testify, and the investigation has no direct evidence of receiving a reward for espionage. It is noted that during the search in her apartment, large volumes of documents were seized.

The investigation's attention was also drawn to an episode involving the head of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) Helena Melnikov, who, by the way, was born in the Soviet Union. Before Mertz's performance, she talked with Ilona V. for a few minutes and even took a selfie with her, the newspaper writes.

"Ms. Melnikov still remembers this meeting, because the unknown woman seemed particularly intrusive to her. Our CEO was delighted that after many minutes she was able to tactfully get out of this situation," commented Bild in the chamber.

As reported by EADaily, an employee of the Russian embassy is being expelled from Berlin in a case of espionage. This was reported by Der Spiegel magazine.

The Russian Foreign Ministry categorically rejected the accusations as a provocation.

"They rejected the accusations as a ridiculous, hastily concocted provocation designed to discredit the Russian diplomatic mission in the context of the "espionage" being actively promoted in Germany. They pointed out the absurdity of the claims made to us, since all the information mentioned is of an open nature. They expressed regret that the German side has set a course for further escalation of Russian-German relations, using obviously far-fetched pretexts for this. They made it clear that Berlin's unfriendly actions will not remain unanswered," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Recall, an alleged Russian spy was detained in Berlin, who allegedly supplied Russian intelligence with information related to the Ukrainian conflict. This was reported by Deutsche Welle***.

*An organization performing the functions of a foreign agent

**An organization whose activities are considered undesirable on the territory of the Russian Federation