New information has prompted the domestic secret service to issue a stern warning to the economy. The fact that it is coming now has nothing to do with the arson attacks on the French railway network.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution sees an increase in Russian sabotage activities in Europe and has indications that Russian intelligence services are specifically evaluating social media profiles of employees of German companies. “The aim was apparently to identify people who could be susceptible to Russian attempts to exert influence or initiate contact,” says a recent security advisory from the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
The extent of Russian acts of sabotage in Europe depends on the development of the situation in the Ukraine war and on the development of the conflict between Russia and the West. The security advisory for the economy continues: “The cases observed across Europe since 2023 as well as increased indications of possible activities in Germany are currently leading to an adjusted assessment: There is an increased risk of sabotage activities or corresponding preparatory actions in Germany.”
Cyber attacks on websites
At the same time, cyber attacks by pro-Russian hackers on the websites of German authorities and companies are still being observed. So far, the effects of such attacks by “hacktivism groups” have mostly been limited in time and the affected websites have only been temporarily unavailable.
In other European countries, several cases of arson or attempted arson are currently being investigated. Investigations are also underway into vandalism and propaganda activities that could be traced back to Russian intelligence services. “Low-level agents” are being recruited for this purpose, mainly young, Russian-speaking people who are pro-Russian and want to make money quickly.
Arrests in Bavaria
In April, two German-Russian citizens were arrested in the Bayreuth area on suspicion of scouting out targets for possible acts of sabotage in Germany for Moscow. According to the Federal Prosecutor General, the aim was in particular to “undermine the military support provided by Germany to Ukraine against the Russian war of aggression.”
However, there is no evidence of possible sabotage in relation to the major fire at the Berlin plant of the Diehl Group, an armaments company, last May. It is assumed that a technical defect was the cause of the fire. According to the Senate and the company, the Berlin site does not produce armaments, but rather car parts, among other things.
Recommendations for action for German companies and their employees
In order to close possible gateways for Russian secret services, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution advises, among other things, not to provide detailed information about security software and industrial control systems in job advertisements. Employees who are particularly at risk for recruitment attempts should be regularly informed of possible risks.
The Federal Office also points out that sabotage is not only to be expected at facilities related to support for Ukraine, but also at objects “whose strategic importance for Russia is not immediately apparent”. Rather, the intention behind such acts of sabotage could also be to trigger uncertainty in politics and the public or in certain groups of people and economic sectors.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
