Russia is using “disposable” secret agents in Germany for sabotage, espionage and propaganda, according to a German intelligence report. The secret services in Berlin have warned citizens not to allow themselves to be employed by foreign actors who aim to divide Germany and other states, the Italian press writes.
Moscow has increasingly targeted Germany with espionage operations, disinformation campaigns and drone attacks. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the country was “not at war, but not at peace either.”
Recent weeks have been marked by drone overflights of military, critical and civilian infrastructure such as Munich Airport. Both the Chancellor and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius have accused Russia of carrying out the incursions.
Who actually operated the drones, however, remains a mystery: none have been recovered, and their operators have not been identified. The investigators distinguish, however, two types of operations: professional flights with large drones and improvised missions carried out with small commercial models. According to investigators, the latter could be the work of so-called “disposable” secret agents, also known as “low-level agents.”
“Disposable” agents are people usually hired through social media to carry out “small” and “light” actions, such as vandalism or arson, for a relatively small fee. “These agents are used for concrete and direct actions,” Christopher Nehring, disinformation expert and director of information at the CyberIntelligence Institute in Germany, explained to “Euronews”.
However, although these agents carry out intelligence activities, they cannot be described as spies, as espionage refers to the covert collection of information. Instead of gathering information, these agents start fires, distribute propaganda stickers, create graffiti or damage infrastructure.
According to Hans Jakob Schindler, a terrorism expert and director of the Counter Extremism Project, these agents are employed for a single mission and have no knowledge of the structure or chain of command of Russian intelligence services in Europe. They operate all over Europe, not just Germany.
They are not meant to destroy NATO, but to undermine collective trust and spread fear. This is the principle of hybrid warfare
The advantage for Moscow is their anonymity: many are recruited through pro-Russian Telegram channels, where they stand out with their pro-Kremlin comments or posts. The agents, who Schindler says are usually male and have a low level of education, are then contacted and hired. “All you need is someone ideologically motivated or looking for money, or even better, both,” Schindler explained.
“Ideology alone is almost never enough: economic leverage is always present. Poverty and political affiliation are the perfect combination for Russia.” The objective, he added, is to multiply small actions that, when combined, create instability and uncertainty with almost no risk to Moscow. “These are simple but frequent operations. They are not intended to destroy Germany or NATO, but rather to undermine collective trust and spread fear. This is the principle of hybrid warfare,” Schindler said.
When it comes to sabotage operations, they are often small scale with relatively little damage. It is the large number that creates a sense of insecurity.
During the election campaign at the beginning of the year, more than 270 cars in several German states were vandalized with foam and stickers depicting Green Party candidate Robert Habeck and the slogan “Be greener”.
Initially, it was believed to be an act of climate activists, but according to an investigation by “Der Spiegel”, Russia is behind this act, with the aim of discrediting the Greens and their candidate.
Delivery of military materials to Ukraine is also in the sights
According to several reports, Russian spy drones have flown over weapons convoys heading for Kiev. Some of these raids were allegedly carried out by “disposable agents”, such as Dieter S. and Alexander J., who appeared before the Munich High Court.
Dieter S. allegedly agreed to commit explosive or incendiary attacks against German military and industrial infrastructure. Alexander J., his alleged accomplice, allegedly provided photos and videos of possible targets, such as rail lines used to transport weapons.
According to the indictment, the plans were aimed at preventing German support for Ukraine. One of the possible targets mentioned was a railway line used to transport weapons. Due to the anonymity of online communications, foreign envoys can cover their tracks. If the agent is arrested, as in the case of Dieter S., he remains solely responsible.
“Disposable agents are disposable in the most literal sense: they are left to their own devices”
Given its growing diplomatic isolation following the war in Ukraine, Moscow is finding it increasingly difficult to deploy its own undercover agents in Europe. For this reason, the Kremlin resorts to “disposable” agents.
“Disposable agents are disposable in the most literal sense: they are left to fend for themselves,” Schindler explained, adding that Russia is not interested in the agents' short-term fate. “They are only interested in causing insecurity and gathering information.”
Under German law, the crime of “sabotage against the Constitution” is punishable by up to five years in prison, while “collaboration with foreign intelligence services” can lead to up to ten years in prison.
So far, German investigators have only managed to capture the real perpetrators, not the instigators. As ZDF's “Frontal” television show revealed, this remains a constant problem for German intelligence services: even after thorough investigations, finding the real perpetrators is almost impossible.
Material produced with the support of Rador Radio Romania
