Two people suspected of spying for Russian intelligence services arrested in Denmark

Danish law enforcement authorities and the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) detained two Ukrainian citizens, aged 18 and 21, on suspicion of conducting espionage on behalf of Russian intelligence services. Source: Brusselssignal

The suspects were arrested in North Jutland after law enforcement officers documented unauthorized photography and video recording of facilities belonging to Danish company MyDefence, a leading manufacturer of counter-drone systems that supplies equipment to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Sune Mirup, head of the North Jutland Police investigation department, emphasized that the authorities are treating the incident with the utmost seriousness and have activated special anti-espionage protocols.

The detainees have been formally charged under Section 108, subsection 1 of the Danish Criminal Code, which criminalizes espionage and providing assistance to a foreign intelligence service. The initial court hearing was held behind closed doors at the prosecution’s request, so details of the suspects’ statements have not yet been disclosed. The detainees required interpreters in court and denied the charges.

The PET has issued an official warning that Russian intelligence services are actively recruiting operatives for seemingly simple assignments to photograph restricted facilities. The images are subsequently used by the GRU and FSB to prepare acts of sabotage and subversion against companies in Denmark’s defense industry.

Northern European intelligence services report a sharp increase in Russian intelligence activity in NATO countries’ “gray zones” from 2024 to 2026. The MyDefence incident points to Moscow’s efforts to gather information on electronic warfare systems and drone interceptors that Denmark is supplying to Kyiv. Danish authorities are investigating possible links between the arrested individuals and other sabotage networks operating in the region.

As a reminder, Denmark accused Russia of sabotage against its defense companies.