Germany arrests three Ukrainians suspected of spying in exploding parcel plot

Berlin: Germany has arrested three Ukrainian nationals on suspicion of foreign agent activity linked to the shipment of parcels containing explosive devices, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

The suspects are believed to have been in contact with individuals working for Russian state institutions, federal prosecutors said in a statement.

Two of the men, identified in line with German privacy laws only as Vladyslav T and Daniil B, were arrested over the weekend in Germany. Another, identified as Yevhen B, was arrested on Tuesday in Switzerland.

"The defendants are strongly suspected of acting as agents for the purpose of sabotage," the statement said, accusing them of agreeing to commit serious arson and procure explosives.

German authorities warned businesses in August last year that packages containing incendiary devices had caught fire en route across Europe.

Logistics firm DHL took measures to protect its network following several fires at a warehouse in Leipzig.