cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/38965199

Original version in German

Russia has significantly ramped up its espionage and hybrid operations in Germany, with the number of suspicious incidents nearly doubling over the past year, according to Martina Rosenberg, president of Germany’s Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD), Zeit reported on July 21.

“Russia’s approach is more aggressive and much more extensive,” Rosenberg said, warning that Russian intelligence agencies are once again resorting to Cold War–style tactics while expanding their playbook for influence operations.

German military counterintelligence has observed that Russian agents often enter the country through third-party nations and attempt to establish contact with individuals of Russian descent, resettlers, or anyone with personal or business ties to Russia.

The agencies are reportedly paying special attention to German military personnel and dual citizens who travel to Russia or Moscow-aligned countries, where they may be pressured or coerced into cooperation.

Germany’s Navy has also emerged as a frequent target of sabotage. In recent months, multiple naval vessels have been deliberately damaged—sabotage incidents have included severed cable systems, metal shavings in propulsion units, and even oil introduced into drinking water systems aboard ships.

MAD also warned of a spike in information warfare and disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing German society.

“Germany remains a top target for foreign intelligence services due to its role as a key NATO logistics hub,” Rosenberg emphasized. “MAD is once again performing functions similar to those during the East-West confrontation.”

Earlier, a Russian sabotage incident at a Bundeswehr military facility in Erfurt, where a parking area with German army trucks was set ablaze. A Russian Telegram channel claimed responsibility, boasting that it had destroyed military equipment allegedly destined for the Ukrainian army.