German intelligence agencies claim Russia is obsessed with Germany and seeks to undermine its unity through disinformation, influence operations and sabotage. The directors of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), and the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) have given their semiannual testimonies to the Bundestag’s control committee, calling for more power and funding.
BND head Bruno Kahl claims that Moscow sees Berlin as an enemy due to Germany’s support for Ukraine, with Russia already beginning to “initiate direct kinetic measures against the West.” He added that the Russian armed forces will likely be able to carry out an attack on NATO in terms of personnel and material by the end of this decade at the latest.
Thomas Haldenwang, who heads the internal security service BfV, asserts that Russia aims to divide German society using existing social issues. He pointed out that many people in Germany, particularly the youth, no longer consume traditional media sources, making them more susceptible to Russian influence and disinformation.
Haldenwang also brought up the so-called Doppelganger project, which both the US and EU have accused Russia of masterminding. It involves creating fake versions of “reputable” outlets that are then used to disseminate “Russian disinformation and propaganda.” He echoed another EU talking point about the Czech-based outlet Voice of Europe being a Russian disinformation operation, claiming its goal is to “win over sympathetic European politicians in exchange for money so that these politicians would pursue Russian policies in the European Parliament or elsewhere.
The German intelligence agencies are particularly concerned that some of the €300 million Russia supposedly allocated for interference in elections and democracies around the West might be used against Berlin, according to Haldenwang. However, after “intense contacts” with American colleagues, the BfV was informed that “no funds” from this alleged endeavor were allocated to Germany.
Similar claims of Russian propaganda and subterfuge presenting a major threat were invoked by the head of the British Security Service (MI5), Ken McCallum, in a speech seeking more power and government funding last week.
Moscow has denied any interference in foreign elections or other internal affairs, alleging instead that the US and its allies have been working with Kiev on targeting Russian territory, civilian population, and even nuclear facilities.