German authorities suspect Russian intelligence behind Berlin arms cache

• A cache of handguns and ammunition was discovered in a forest near Berlin.
• German authorities suspect the weapons were intended for assassinations orchestrated by Russian intelligence.
• A suspect has been arrested in Romania in connection with the investigation.
• Potential targets included defense industry executives and exiled opposition figures.
• Germany's domestic intelligence service believes the cache was set up on orders from Russian services.

German security authorities discovered a cache of handguns and ammunition in a forest near Berlin last October, which they believe were intended for assassinations on behalf of Russian intelligence, according to reports. The federal public prosecutor’s office is investigating the case on suspicion of espionage and planning a serious act of violence that poses a threat to the state. Germany's domestic intelligence agency is reportedly convinced that the individuals responsible for setting up the weapons storage were acting on orders from Russian services. Potential targets are said to include defense industry executives, exiled opposition figures, and supporters of Ukraine. One suspect has reportedly been arrested in Romania and may have been responsible for establishing the weapons storage. The Russian embassy has not immediately responded to requests for comment. Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that foreign powers could not be ruled out and that several similar operatives, including one from Kazakhstan, have been detained this year.