The authorities of Denmark have arrested and charged two Ukrainian citizens, aged 18 and 21, with espionage against the Danish defense company MyDefence, specialized in anti-drone systems. After an initial court appearance, the court has ordered that they remain in custody for at least three more days.
"We arrested two people on Monday, October 19, 2026, and these two individuals will appear today, Tuesday (...) in a constitutional hearing before the Aalborg Court, charged with violating Article 108, Section 1, of the Penal Code (corresponding to espionage)," emphasized the head of the investigation unit of the North Jutland Police, Inspector Sune Myrup, in a statement from the body in which he highlights that the authorities are taking this case "very seriously."
The hearing has been held behind closed doors at the request of the Prosecutor's Office and has included the presence of an interpreter proficient in Russian and Ukrainian, as reported by the public broadcaster DR.
According to this media outlet, investigators believe that the arrested individuals photographed the MyDefence headquarters in Norresundby (North Jutland) on October 19, allegedly alongside one or more unidentified accomplices. Subsequently, the images would have been sent to a third party via the messaging application Telegram. Furthermore, the Public Prosecutor suspects that a Russian intelligence service could be involved in the case.
After about five hours of session, the judge has ruled that the two young men remain detained for a period of three days, despite considering that the requirements for ordering prolonged preventive detention are not met.
The defense attorney Rasmus Amandusson, representative of the 21-year-old accused, has explained to DR that both are of Ukrainian nationality, that they have been residing in Denmark for less than a year, and that they were working in the country. Regarding the charges, they have pleaded not guilty and "are very affected," as "no one considers it a joke to face such an accusation."
The Danish Government has also reacted to the case through the Minister of Justice, Nicolai Wammen, who has pointed out that "the overall security situation is serious." "The PET (the Danish Security and Intelligence Service) informs us that the Russian side shows great interest in obtaining information and planning acts of sabotage in Denmark," he emphasized.
In this context, Wammen has emphasized the need for the population not to collaborate with possible hostile acts and for all citizens to contribute to protecting the country. "If someone offers you 5000 crowns (669 euros) for taking photographs of the local defense industry, do not do it. Otherwise, you risk becoming a 'useful fool' or acting directly in the service of Russia's interests," the minister has warned.