Russians and Ukrainians control alleged espionage activities at Albanian military factory | World News

Two Russians and a Ukrainian have been arrested for allegedly spying for a military factory in southern Albania, authorities said.

The Defense Ministry said a Russian man, identified only as 24 years old by the initials MZ, was detained after entering the factory premises in Gramsh, 50 miles (80 miles) from the capital Tirana. km) to the south and take pictures. .

Two guards at the plant were injured when the Russians used what they said was a “new paralyzing spray” while resisting arrest, the ministry added in a statement.

Another Russian woman, identified as ST, 33, and a Ukrainian man, FA, 25, were kept outside the complex and their vehicle was blocked, the ministry said.

“Three citizens with Russian and Ukrainian passports attempted to enter the factory,” the ministry said in a statement sent to media.

“Factory security officers responded immediately, but in an attempt to stop three foreign nationals, two of our soldiers were injured,” the statement said.

Two security guards injured by the aerosol were taken to hospital for medical care, where their condition was “stable”, it added.

The military police, the military intelligence police and the civilian and counter-terrorism police are jointly investigating.

The Gramsh military factory originally produced the AK-47, or Kalashnikov rifle, after it opened in 1962. After the fall of communism in 1990, production ended and it was used for dismantling. dismantling old Kalashnikovs and other small arms.

The website of the Ministry of Defense only states that the plant currently provides manufacturing services for the defense industry.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama wrote on Twitter: “Proud to the military guards who neutralized three individuals suspected of being spies… Now let’s wait for this fact to be clarified.”

Albania, run by the communist government from 1946 to 1990, has been a NATO member since 2009.

It has strongly denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has participated in US and European Union sanctions against Moscow.