A German citizen has been arrested in Russia over accusations that he fought as a mercenary for Ukraine, according to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), cited by France Presse and Russian news agencies. The FSB said the suspect arrived in Ukraine in November 2025. He had previously taken part in armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Syria before agreeing a three-year contract with Ukraine’s armed forces. Russia’s security services allege that in 2016 to 2018 he worked as a sniper in a structural unit of Ukraine’s territorial security forces that also included British nationals. The FSB said he joined Ukraine again in November 2025 for profit, signed a three-year military service contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but did not receive the promised pay and then deserted. The FSB said the case involves possible charges for mercenary activity. It added that between 2004 and 2010 the foreign national took part in military operations with the German contingent in Afghanistan, and that from 2006 to 2008 he took part in an armed conflict in Somalia and from 2008 to 2010 fought in Syria as a mercenary. The FSB said the case is at the stage of discussing charges against the detained man. He remains under arrest as prosecutors consider formal accusations for mercenary-related offences.