Media: German MP urges Berlin to expel Russian diplomats, shut Russian House Over rising cyberattacks

Roderich Kiesewetter, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) spokesman for security policy, has called for decisive action to counter the increasing wave of Russian cyberattacks and hybrid threats targeting Germany.

Citing a rise in state-sponsored cyber attacks and sabotage, the Bundestag deputy and intelligence oversight panel vice-chair urged the federal government to expel remaining Russian diplomats and close facilities like the Russian House in Berlin, Caliber.Az reports per Handelsblatt.

Kiesewetter’s demands come amid warnings of a deteriorating cybersecurity landscape. He described Germany’s current protection against cyber threats as inadequate, especially for small and medium-sized businesses and critical infrastructure.

He noted that while cybercrime continues to rise, the most serious threats stem from hostile state actors, led by Russia. Hacker groups such as Fancy Bear, Voodoo Bear and Cozy Bear – linked to the Russian GRU and SWR – are reportedly at the forefront of these operations.

The CDU politician accused Russia of elevating cyberwarfare to a new level, with increasingly complex, simultaneous, and cost-effective attacks. He also pointed to a sophisticated Russian disinformation ecosystem aiming to destabilise democratic institutions and influence public opinion within Germany.

Kiesewetter expressed concern over the lack of an early-warning system and dedicated structures for countering disinformation. He advocated for the establishment of a federal authority to identify and publicly debunk false information, as well as a public warning app modelled on the government’s Nina system to alert citizens to coordinated propaganda campaigns.

He criticised Germany’s sluggish legislative response to emerging threats, calling for the urgent implementation of the EU’s NIS2 Directive and the introduction of a comprehensive law covering the protection of critical infrastructure.

Kiesewetter also pushed for the removal of Chinese components from key systems such as the 5G network and demanded clearer cybersecurity requirements for private companies.

To strengthen national resilience, he proposed expanding the legal powers and resources of intelligence services, developing a military and civil cyber reserve, and improving defences such as drone interdiction and underwater monitoring capabilities. 

Kiesewetter also called for tougher action to limit foreign influence, including visa restrictions, bans on propagandists’ public appearances, and the removal of pro-Kremlin content from online platforms.

With Germany facing increasing hybrid threats, he warned that a whole-of-government strategy for deterrence and defence is urgently needed. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev