German spy turncoat could hand Russians sensitive intel on Ukraine - media

That’s according to Tagesschau, Ukrinform reports.

Journalists claim that the culprit, referred to as Karsten L., who is suspected of high treason, allegedly transmitted to Russia secret assessments of the situation in Ukraine.

The Federal Attorney General's Office (GBA) is now probing the case. If allegations are confirmed, the case will be "particularly sensitive" as it will prove Moscow engaged a double agent in foreign intelligence during Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Such recruitment of human assets from among other countries’ intelligence operatives is considered a top-class espionage effort, the newspaper reports.

Germany's security officials have noted for years that Russia is becoming increasingly aggressive in the country to achieve its goals. After the start of war, counterintelligence warned ministries and authorities about the higher risks present.

As reported, the BND operative was detained on Wednesday. German Justice Minister Marko Buschmann called the arrest "an important blow to Russian espionage."

In recent years, several people who spied for the Russian Federation were nabbed in Germany. In the spring, 40 Russian spies who worked under diplomatic cover were expelled from the country.

The mole in Germany’s foreign intelligence was last reported in 2014, when the perpetrator had been charged with working for the U.S. government.