German police investigate suspected arson near Munich defense contractors, detain two Bulgarians

German police have launched an investigation into a suspected arson attack near the Munich premises of defense contractors Rohde & Schwarz and Helsing, detaining two Bulgarian nationals in connection with the incident.

Two incendiary devices were thrown from a car at a construction site around midnight on Thursday, Bavarian police said. One ignited and was extinguished by officers, while a bomb disposal team defused the second. No injuries or significant damage were reported.

Police shortly afterward detained a 28-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, both Bulgarian citizens.

The motive remains unclear, although police noted that “several defense companies are located” at the site. Because a political motive cannot be ruled out, the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office and the Bavarian Central Office for Combating Extremism and Terrorism have taken over the investigation.

Die Welt later reported, citing a police spokesperson, that a letter claiming responsibility had appeared on a platform linked to left-wing extremists.

Several defense contractors are based near the site, including Rohde & Schwarz, which supplies radio and communications equipment to German security agencies and the military, and drone manufacturer Helsing.

Since the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, EU officials have repeatedly alleged Russian involvement in suspected sabotage and other incidents described as ‘hybrid attacks,’ although Moscow has denied responsibility and conclusive evidence has not been publicly presented.

In another high-profile case, an explosive-laden drone was discovered between Ukrainian Antonov cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport in early August. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Tuesday that authorities believe Russia was behind the incident.

Berlin subsequently announced the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin, along with other measures.

Moscow has rejected the allegations. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Berlin of seeking to distract from its domestic economic problems by “planting the evidence” to implicate Russia.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova likewise dismissed the accusations as an “absolutely trumped-up and far-fetched” pretext for closing the Russian facilities.