Germany raises security alert over escalating Russian intelligence operations

Germany’s military counterintelligence agency (MAD) has issued a stark warning over what it describes as increasingly “aggressive” activities by Russian intelligence services on German soil, citing a sharp rise in espionage, sabotage and hybrid operations.

Martina Rosenberg, President of the MAD, said Germany—home to key NATO logistics and troop movements—has become a prime target for hostile foreign intelligence services, Caliber.Az reports, citing German media.

“We are witnessing a marked increase in cases of espionage and hybrid tactics. Russian methods resemble those of the Cold War, but with a much broader toolkit,” Rosenberg stated.

The warning comes amid a wave of reported sabotage attempts targeting military installations, infrastructure and German naval vessels. Incidents have included severed wiring, contaminated systems, and cyberattacks.

Modern, interference-resistant drones have also reportedly been used for reconnaissance over sensitive areas. Disinformation campaigns—designed to destabilise and polarise—form a core component of these hybrid operations.

MAD reports that suspected Russian agents continue to enter Germany via third countries, sometimes establishing direct contact with individuals to build trust or exert pressure. “There’s a danger that people with Russian roots, late repatriates, or those with links to Russia may be deliberately approached,” Rosenberg said. German military personnel with dual nationality or those travelling to Russia or its allies are deemed particularly vulnerable.

The growing threat comes as the Bundeswehr expands its presence in Lithuania with the creation of a 5,000-strong brigade. The MAD has been granted additional powers to support this deployment.

Once again, as during the Cold War, the core task of MAD is the protection of the armed forces against espionage and sabotage. The agency, based in Cologne and under the Defence Ministry, is Germany’s smallest intelligence service.

Notably, German officials link recent sabotage plots to the Kremlin, including attempted bombings on German trains and cyber intrusions dating back years. Russia is also believed to have been behind the 2015 Bundestag hack and the 2019 assassination of a Georgian exile in Berlin.

In a high-profile development last August, the convicted Russian agent in the Berlin killing, Vadim Krasikov, was released as part of a prisoner exchange involving Russia, Belarus, and several Western nations.

Rosenberg concluded: “The best defence against espionage is to take the threat seriously, remain vigilant, and report any suspicions to the authorities without delay.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev