A senior German security official has stated that the country’s counterintelligence service needs to be revamped to counter what Berlin alleges is a widespread Russian campaign of sabotage and espionage. According to Sinan Selen, vice president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Russia is directing a broad range of actions at Germany, viewing it as a key target in Europe.
Selen claims that Russia’s tactics include low-level agents, cyberattacks, disinformation, and outright sabotage, all aimed at stirring up fear, insecurity, and doubt about democracy. He also alleges that Moscow has adapted its “intelligence toolbox” in recent years, now incorporating methods such as smuggling migrants into Germany and influencing political decisions. Additionally, Selen states that Russia recruits agents by exploiting their “vanity” or using “classic love traps.”
The remarks come after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Germany is “already in a conflict with Russia,” accusing Moscow of seeking to destabilize the entire European Union amid the standoff over Ukraine. The Kremlin has dismissed these allegations, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying that Germany is participating in “whipping up hysterical Russophobia” on the European continent.
Selen has emphasized the need to modernize the domestic intelligence service, clearly defining its mission, identity, and guiding principles. However, he did not specify any particular reforms that he believes the service should adopt. The German government’s concerns about Russian sabotage and espionage highlight the ongoing tensions between Russia and the European Union, particularly in the context of the Ukraine conflict.
The allegations of Russian interference in Germany’s affairs have significant implications for the country’s national security and its relationships with other European nations. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Germany will respond to these perceived threats and what measures it will take to strengthen its counterintelligence capabilities. The German government’s efforts to address these concerns will likely be closely watched by other European countries, which may be facing similar challenges in countering Russian sabotage and espionage.
