Secret weapons cache found in Germany forest: What to know

On Friday, German authorities discovered a hidden stash of handguns in a forest near Berlin, according to Suddeutsche Zeitung, reports suggest the weapons may have been linked to Russian intelligence and were intended for probable operations.

According to ongoing reports, the federal public prosecutor’s office was examining the matter on suspicion of a serious act of violence threatening the state.

The newspaper's collaborative broadcasting report with the NDR and WDR on Friday quoted anonymous sources as saying that one suspect had been arrested in Romania and may have been responsible for coordinating the arsenal.

The paper said Germany's domestic intelligence, which had warned of Russian sabotage and targeted attacks, was convinced that those responsible for setting up the structure were acting on Russian orders.

The potential targets include exiled opposition figures, defense industry executives and supporters of Ukraine, according to the report. In this connection, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office maintains control of the inquiry, examining potential links to broader Russian intelligence operations in Europe.

Furthermore, the case surfaces during a period of growing friction between Russia and NATO member states as European security services on high alert for clandestine operations.