Germany has expelled a Russian diplomat accused of spying, further escalating tensions between Berlin and Moscow over intelligence activity linked to the war in Ukraine.

The German Foreign Office said Thursday that it had declared a member of Russia’s diplomatic staff persona non grata and summoned Moscow’s ambassador to formally notify him of the decision.

“We do not accept espionage in Germany — and particularly not under the cover of diplomatic status,” the ministry said, adding that the individual had been ordered to leave the country with immediate effect.

German outlet Der Spiegel and Russian independent media organization The Insider identified the expelled diplomat as Andrei Mayorov, Russia’s deputy military attache in Germany. Mayorov reportedly holds the rank of colonel in Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU.

Mayorov is alleged to have acted as the handler for Ilona Kopylova, a dual Ukrainian-German citizen who was arrested in Berlin earlier on suspicion of spying for Russia. German authorities believe Kopylova had been in contact with a Russian Embassy official working for an intelligence service since at least November 2023.

Prosecutors said Kopylova used her connections with current and former employees of Germany’s defense ministry to collect information related to military aid for Ukraine, drone testing sites and the arms industry. She is also accused of helping her Russian handler operate under a false identity to attend political events in Berlin and cultivate useful contacts.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the expulsion sends a clear message to Moscow. “We have made it clear that this is a hostile act and that intelligence activities in our country are completely unacceptable, especially under the guise of diplomacy,” he said. “Russia’s aggressive actions have consequences.”

The Russian Embassy in Berlin rejected the allegations, calling them an “absurd, hastily concocted provocation” and accusing Germany of fueling what it described as a growing “spy mania.”

“Unfriendly actions by Berlin will not go unanswered,” the embassy said in a statement.

Tensions between Berlin and Moscow have intensified in recent months. In December, Germany summoned Russia’s ambassador after accusing Moscow of launching a cyberattack on the country’s air traffic control authority and running a disinformation campaign ahead of the February 2025 general election.

In May, Berlin also recalled its ambassador to Moscow following what it said were Russia-backed cyber intrusions targeting German defense, aerospace and IT companies, as well as the ruling Social Democratic Party.