Spy Camera Discovered at Minden Train Station

On September 29, 2025, an employee of Deutsche Bahn discovered a small black surveillance camera at the train station in Minden, North Rhine-Westphalia. The camera was mounted on a mast approximately five meters high and bore a sticker with the Deutsche Bahn logo. However, initial investigations revealed that the camera had not been installed by Deutsche Bahn. Security authorities suspect that the camera was used to spy on military transports and possibly also on arms deliveries to Ukraine.

The train station in Minden holds strategic significance for the Bundeswehr and British forces, as it is considered a central loading station for NATO's eastern flank. On April 28, 2026, officials searched the apartment of a suspect in Detmold, East Westphalia. The man, a Lithuanian, has lived in Germany for several years and is suspected of engaging in espionage activities for sabotage purposes. The public prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation against him.

Investigators had previously surveilled the suspect for weeks and tapped his phone. They also installed spyware on his mobile phone to read his encrypted chats. These measures led to suspicions that the man is connected with foreign intelligence services. The surveillance camera is considered the first solid evidence that foreign services are spying on military supply and logistics routes in Germany. Security authorities in Poland and other Eastern European countries have repeatedly uncovered Russian espionage activities, reinforcing the suspicion that Russia may be behind this incident.

The camera, a model from the company Xega, is night vision capable and powered by a solar panel. During the search, investigators found a foreign SIM card in the camera, which enabled live transmission of footage. The camera monitored the shunting area of the train station, where Bundeswehr transports are processed, among other activities. Investigators were able to identify parked trains on the camera's footage that are used for military transports. Germany plays a central role for NATO, especially in the event of a conflict with Russia, as a significant portion of supplies and troop movements are managed through the country.

Additionally, the Herzog-von-Braunschweig barracks in Minden houses the German-British Pioneer Bridge Battalion 130. This battalion is the only one of six pioneer battalions that possesses the M3 floating bridge system, which is crucial for military operations. Investigations into this incident are ongoing, and security authorities are working to gather further information about the background and possible accomplices of the suspect. The discovery of the camera has drawn attention to the security situation in Germany, particularly concerning military infrastructure and potential espionage activities. Security authorities have already announced plans to enhance surveillance and control at strategically important locations to prevent future incidents of this nature.

The incident at the Minden train station could have far-reaching consequences for the security strategy of the Bundeswehr and NATO. Investigators have secured the camera as evidence and are analyzing the collected data to gain further insights into the suspect's activities. The security situation in Germany remains tense, especially in light of geopolitical developments in Europe. The public prosecutor's office has announced that it will inform the public about the progress of the investigations as new information becomes available. The suspect is expected to be interrogated in the coming days. The camera has been identified as a model from the company Xega, which is powered by a solar panel and is available for approximately 50 euros.