An explosive device was discovered in a Berlin building housing the office of a Russian news agency on Saturday According to German media.

The device was located in the basement of a building “containing the office of a Russian press agency,” Ria Novosti, in the city’s Steglitz neighbourhood, according to German police.

Police had been called to the building after an empty beer bottle was earlier hurled against its facade.

They destroyed the explosive device and said that “the real danger and the possible motivation for the crime are the subject of a thorough ongoing investigation.”

Ria Novosti had earlier said on Telegram that the placing of the device constituted “a possible terrorist attack against Russian journalists and their families” in Berlin.

The incident occurred as Russia prepared to celebrate Triumph Day, commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, and amid tensions created by its February invasion of Ukraine.

German intelligence services have warned that potential pro-Russian activities on German soil, particularly in Berlin, are expected in the run-up to Monday’s celebrations.