Russia carries out sabotage - also in Germany
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution sees an " heightened threat" from Russian saboteurs. Putin's secret services could recruit agents for arson attacks in Germany - without these individuals knowing for whom they are working.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution issues a stern warning: Russia is planning sabotage acts on German soil, there are "increased indications of possible activities in Germany". This is stated in the new security advisory, which the intelligence agency published on Friday. In particular, recruitment attempts by Russian intelligence services are a concern for the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
It is at least since the so-called Tiergarten murder in 2019 that Germany has been in the sights of Russian intelligence services. A Russian shot a Georgian in Berlin, allegedly on behalf of the Russian FSB. The now published advisory underscores how seriously German security agencies take the threat from Russian agents and henchmen.
What dangers is the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution warning about?
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns of arson and vandalism in the name of Russian intelligence services. Objects with a connection to military support for Ukraine are at risk, such as weapons production sites or warehouses for Ukraine deliveries.
However, places not related to the Ukraine conflict could also be targets. Through sabotage acts and arson attacks, Russian services aim to create "uncertainty and fear in politics and the public", believes the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
In Europe, several arson attacks have become known in recent months, which local authorities suspect were carried out by Russian intelligence services. In March, a department store in the east of London burned down, where goods for the Ukraine were stored. A month later, four Britons were charged with arson, two of whom were in contact with a Russian intelligence service and were paid by it.
Mid-May, a shopping center in Warsaw appeared to be the target of arsonists. According to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Russian services may have been involved. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Who is the focus of recruitment efforts from Russia?
Not everyone who works for a Russian intelligence service knows their actual employer, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution notes. In recruiting henchmen, agents do not necessarily identify themselves as such. Employees of companies that maintain critical infrastructure, such as power companies, hospitals, or railway operators, should therefore remain vigilant. There are indications that Russian intelligence services are specifically searching social media profiles.
So, employees should be identified who are "susceptible to Russian influence or courting efforts". "Be aware that you too could fall into the focus of Russian intelligence services and be used to further their interests", writes the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution also observes the recruitment of so-called "low-level agents" in Europe. These are persons who carry out tasks for Russia without agent training. Agents recruit them mainly via social networks or messengers, mostly young adults who speak Russian and have a pro-Russian ideology. Their goal: quick money.
So it was also with 14 saboteurs in Poland, who were sentenced in Lublin in December. According to the local District Court, a Russian intelligence officer ordered the perpetrators via Telegram to set fires or install cameras on railway tracks where tanks were being transported to Ukraine. Or to spray "Stop NATO" on fences, for which the defendants, according to the "Wall Street Journal," received roughly seven euros per job, paid in Bitcoins.
Are there already known acts of sabotage from Russia in Germany?
Officially, the German investigative authorities have not been able to prove any sabotage acts by Russia. However, in April, the police in Bayreuth arrested two Russian-Germans, allegedly Russian spies. They are said to have, according to the Federal Prosecutor, spied on the US base in nearby Grafenwöhr and prepared sabotage acts that were intended to undermine military support for Ukraine.
In a broader sense, the alleged plans to target Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, as reported recently by the US broadcaster "CNN," can also be considered sabotage attempts.
Obfuscation and concealment are at the core of hybrid warfare, as practiced by the Kremlin. Therefore, the information from various security agencies can significantly contradict each other. The complexity of truth-finding is evident from the fire at Diehl's Berlin plant in early May.
Diehl manufactures the Iris-T missile system, which Ukraine uses to defend against Russian air raids, although Diehl itself claims it is produced at another location. Diehl itself attributed the fire to a technical defect, but there are no indications of sabotage.
However, the "Wall Street Journal" and "Bild" reported that a foreign intelligence service had warned the German government about the possible involvement of Russian saboteurs. This was dismissed in German security circles, as reported by "Spiegel."
This text first appeared at stern.de.**
The Federal Office for the Protection of Constitution's warning against Russian threats extends beyond potential attacks on Ukraine-related targets. They also suspect Russian intelligence services of conducting espionage on critical infrastructure companies in Germany, such as power companies, hospitals, and railway operators.
Russian agents are not limited to identifying themselves as such during recruitment efforts. They often seek out individuals who are susceptible to influence or courting, often using social media profiles to identify potential targets.
Despite the absence of officially confirmed sabotage acts by Russia in Germany, the case of two Russian-Germans arrested in Bayreuth for spying and preparing sabotage acts against military support for Ukraine raises concerns about Russian activities within the country.
