Russia is suspected of flying several drones, including military UAVs, over a key nuclear power plant in Germany, state security officers said.
Germany is one of the most vocal critics of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and has provided or committed a total of €28billion (£23.77bn) in financing or direct delivery of weaponry.
Now Russia appears to be scouting Germany as a potential target for sabotage, intelligence officers told Bild.
Sources told the newspaper that a flying object was detected flying over the industrial area in Brunsbütte, on the northern coast of Germany, last night.
Drones have been flying over the area, home to a nuclear power plant, an Liquefied Natural Gas terminal and several chemical plants, since at least August 8, and have been attributed to Russian agents who are likely launching them from civilian ships in the North Sea.
State security officers from the Schleswig-Holstein State Office of Criminal Investigation told the newspaper that they believe the drones they haven't yet caught are Russia's unmanned Orlan-10 drones, which can travel at speeds of over 90mph for a total of 370 miles in one go.
The drones have been used across the world, most notable in Syria during the country's civil war, where they were used for reconnaissance, aerial imagery and 3-D mapping to support humanitarian convoys, as well as search and rescue operations.
Police officers in Lower Saxony and Hamburg are now on alert for future drone activity.
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