German authorities have taken a strong diplomatic step, summoning Russian Ambassador, Sergei Nechayev amid mounting concerns over alleged hostile activity linked to Moscow. The move follows what the German Foreign Ministry described as repeated “hybrid attacks” targeting the country.
Officials said the decision was prompted by growing evidence of coordinated efforts aimed at destabilising Germany. “The goal of these Russian cyber and disinformation attacks is clear: to divide society, stir up mistrust, provoke rejection and weaken confidence in democratic institutions,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese said.
Berlin cited a series of incidents it said underpin its concerns. Giese pointed to a cyberattack on Germany’s air traffic control authority in August 2024, which German intelligence traced to the Russian hacker group Fancy Bear and attributed to the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service. German authorities also allege that Russia attempted to influence Germany’s most recent federal election through the disinformation network Storm 1516, active since 2024 and known for targeting Western elections. According to officials, the campaign focused on Green Party chancellor candidate Robert Habeck and Christian Democrat leader Friedrich Merz, with security agencies detecting fake videos alleging ballot manipulation just two days before the vote.
German officials classified these actions as “hybrid attacks,” a form of conflict that stops short of open warfare. Such operations reportedly include hacking government and defence institutions, targeting critical infrastructure, spreading election disinformation, amplifying fake content on social media and encouraging irregular migration toward EU borders.
In response, Germany has condemned the actions and initiated countermeasures, including support for new sanctions against individuals implicated in the attacks. The government reaffirmed backing for EU measures holding Russian assets in Europe until the Ukraine war ends and reparations are paid.
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