May 18, 2025 – Translated from German

It has become more difficult for Russian intelligence services to infiltrate their own agents into Germany. According to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, they are now increasingly hiring henchmen for sabotage and espionage.

According to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the increased use of so-called “low-level agents” by Russian intelligence services is also a reaction to the successes of German counterintelligence. “The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and other European intelligence agencies have observed a significant increase in Russian intelligence activities for years,” Sinan Selen, Vice President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), told the German Press Agency.

Russia is using various methods, sometimes combining them and tactically adapting them to its defensive measures. This also involves the use of people recruited for specific actions or operations via social media or other means, so-called “low-level agents.”

No trained intelligence officers. These henchmen, also known as “disposable agents,” are not official intelligence officers and are deployed for sabotage, propaganda, or espionage. They are usually paid for this. According to German security authorities, they primarily recruit people who have attracted attention for their pro-Russian statements.

Arrests for suspected spying activities

A few days ago, alleged plans for attacks on freight transport in Germany came to light. A total of three Ukrainians were arrested in Germany and Switzerland. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office accuses them of acting as agents for the purpose of sabotage. There is therefore suspicion that Russian government agencies were behind the attacks.

Recruiting “low-level agents” for disinformation, sabotage, or spying on targets is an integral part of the Russian repertoire for actions against European countries, said the BfV deputy.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution assumes a long-term threat from Russian activities in Europe – regardless of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the further course of that conflict. Selen said: “Germany is a particular focus of Russian intelligence services in this regard.” The threat therefore remains persistently high. (dpa/edited by sbi)

https://web.de/magazine/politik/inland/verfassungsschutz-russland-wegwerf-agenten-40989354