By AFP | 2025-09-05

German authorities launched a campaign in September warning against Russian efforts to recruit "disposable agents" via social media to carry out acts of espionage and sabotage.

Germany has faced a surge in spying and sabotage cases linked to Russia since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine sent tensions soaring with Berlin, which has strongly backed Kyiv.

Police and spy agencies said they suspect several cases -- from arson to property damage and drone overflights of sensitive sites -- were carried out by "disposable agents" who have no training in exchange for small sums.

Military facilities and the defense industry as well as transport and energy infrastructure have been targeted, they said. The most serious offences can be punishable by up to 10 years in jail.

The campaign warns that suspected Russian spies aim "to destabilize Germany with the help of people in Germany."

"This gives them a decisive advantage: they don't have to 'get their hands dirty' themselves."

Recruitment usually starts "innocently" with a chat on social media, before a small sum of money is offered to encourage people to commit crimes, according to the campaign.

"Sabotage, espionage and propaganda activities carried out by foreign intelligence services deliberately undermine the stability of free societies," warned Bruno Kahl, head of Germany's BND foreign spy agency.

"They are an attack on our democracy through deception, intimidation and subversion."

Three on trial

Three German-Russian dual nationals went on trial in Munich in May accused of spying for Moscow and preparing attacks on critical military infrastructure and industry.

The main suspect, named only as Dieter S., is said to have been at the center of a plot to undermine Germany's support for Ukraine through acts of sabotage aimed at targets including US military bases.

He was being tried alongside Alexander J. and Alex D., who were alleged to have supported his activities on behalf of a foreign intelligence service.

Dieter S. faced further charges for allegedly "taking images of military installations", "conspiracy to cause an explosion and arson" and preparing "a serious act of violence threatening state security."

Federal prosecutors have also accused him of "membership in a foreign terrorist organization" for allegedly fighting for a pro-Russian militia in eastern Ukraine between 2014 and 2016.

The suspect was said to have belonged to an armed unit of the self-proclaimed "People's Republic of Donetsk," which claimed control over the region and led fighting against Ukrainian troops.

It was during his time in the unit that Dieter S. was said to have come into contact with a member of the Russian intelligence services, according to prosecutors.

From October 2023, he "exchanged information" with the contact about possible sabotage operations in Germany, prosecutors alleged.

The operations were intended to "undermine the military support provided by Germany to Ukraine" as it has sought to repel Russian forces.

The suspect allegedly "declared his willingness to carry out explosive and arson attacks on military infrastructure and industrial sites" and to sabotage railway lines used to transport military goods.