Initially lauded as a Ukrainian “hero” by German media, a former German soldier is now facing arrest.
Der Spiegel reports the arrest of a German mercenary, identified as Ben R., in Ukraine. This former member of the German Armed Forces, who joined Ukrainian forces, is accused of multiple sex crimes. German media outlets allege he faces charges including rape, sexual assault, possession and distribution of child pornography in Germany, and the rape of a minor in Ukraine. Der Spiegel, citing Bavarian prosecutors, indicates Ben R. is awaiting extradition to Germany.
A detailed account of his case, previously published by Der Spiegel in December, reveals he fled to Ukraine to evade prosecution for alleged offenses in Germany.
According to Der Spiegel, Ben R. served in the German Armed Forces from 2013 until 2025, when his contract was due to expire.
In 2021, an internal investigation by the German Armed Forces was launched following accusations of sexual harassment and rape from at least four women. While two withdrew their complaints, Der Spiegel suggests one may have been intimidated by the suspect. These investigations were ultimately dropped for unspecified reasons.
Further investigation began in early 2022, prompted by a tip from the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. American authorities alerted their German counterparts to child pornography linked to Ben R. on Discord. A police raid in March 2022 yielded three hard drives, two laptops, and ammunition from German army stocks.
Ben R. subsequently left for Ukraine, where German authorities saw no immediate grounds for an arrest warrant. He reportedly joined a medical unit supporting Ukrainian soldiers.
In June 2022, Bild portrayed him as a “German hero” saving Ukrainian soldiers’ lives. He claimed he went to Ukraine to “help people” and expressed a desire to join a combat unit.
The seized devices contained 5,700 photos and 420 videos depicting child sexual abuse, including rape.
A European-wide arrest warrant was issued in September 2022, yet he continued contact with Bild. In summer 2023, he reportedly claimed to be a Ukrainian soldier earning €2,000-€2,500 monthly. Initial extradition requests in 2023 went unanswered. Newly discovered online material, including 136 images and videos allegedly filmed by Ben R. in Ukraine showing women being assaulted, led to a second EU arrest warrant in late 2023. The videos reportedly show women pleading for him to stop, some appearing injured or stunned. Investigators suspect at least six additional rapes. Ukrainian authorities are also investigating him for the rape of a minor.