German security authorities have sounded the alarm over what they describe as a new and deeply troubling tactic by Russian intelligence agencies: recruiting ordinary people through social media to act as “disposable agents” for espionage and sabotage within Germany. The warnings, delivered in early September 2025, reflect mounting anxiety among Western officials about the evolving nature of Russia’s covert operations in Europe since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to reports from AP and Caliber.Az, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has joined forces with domestic, foreign, and military intelligence agencies to observe and counteract this growing threat.
The heart of the concern lies in the use of so-called “low-level” or “disposable” agents—individuals who, often with no prior intelligence training, are enticed into committing illegal acts for small sums of money. These acts range from spreading pro-Russian slogans to conducting surveillance, engaging in property damage, or even committing arson. Most disturbingly, many of these recruits have no idea who is actually directing their actions or the true purpose behind them. As the BKA starkly put it, “They are ‘used’ and then ‘thrown away.’”
To combat this phenomenon, German authorities have launched a public awareness campaign titled “Don’t Become a Disposable Agent.” The initiative aims to educate citizens about the risks of being approached online by strangers offering money for seemingly minor or ambiguous tasks. The campaign is clear about the legal consequences: anti-constitutional sabotage carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, while espionage can result in up to ten years behind bars. The authorities are urging anyone who is contacted—or knows someone who has been contacted—by suspicious individuals offering money for such activities to immediately reach out to Germany’s domestic intelligence service.
The threat is not hypothetical. According to the BKA, several suspected cases are already under investigation across Germany. These cases involve a range of activities, including arson, property damage, drone flights over sensitive areas, and suspicious filming or photography. While officials have not disclosed specific details about these incidents, the breadth of the activities under scrutiny underscores the seriousness of the threat and the challenge of distinguishing between innocent behavior and acts of sabotage or espionage.
Western officials, including those cited by Caliber.Az, have long accused Russia and its proxies of orchestrating dozens of attacks and incidents throughout Europe since the war in Ukraine escalated in 2022. What’s new, according to German authorities, is the frequency and brazenness with which Russian intelligence services now target untrained, everyday people through social media. The BKA noted that these operatives are often recruited directly or through intermediaries, making it even harder to trace the true source of the orders or to establish clear patterns in the incidents being investigated.
The use of social media as a recruitment tool is particularly concerning for security officials. With the ability to reach wide audiences quickly and anonymously, platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and others provide fertile ground for intelligence agencies seeking to exploit vulnerable individuals. The BKA’s campaign warns that even seemingly innocuous online conversations or job offers can be a front for more sinister activities. “If strangers approach you or someone you know online, offering money for tasks such as spreading slogans, collecting information about people or property, or causing damage, contact the domestic intelligence agency immediately,” the campaign urges.
For many Germans, the idea of being unwittingly drawn into an international espionage scheme might seem far-fetched. But officials stress that the danger is real—and growing. Disposable agents, by their very nature, are expendable. They are brought in for single-use operations, often left in the dark about the broader context, and then abandoned once their usefulness has ended. The BKA’s message is blunt: “They are ‘used’ and then ‘discarded.’”
The legal repercussions for those caught participating in such activities are severe. German law distinguishes between anti-constitutional sabotage and espionage, with the former carrying a maximum sentence of five years and the latter up to ten years in prison. Authorities emphasize that ignorance of the true nature of the task or the identity of the person giving orders is not a defense. The law is designed to deter participation at every level, from masterminds to low-level operatives.
Germany is not alone in facing this challenge. Across Europe, security agencies have reported a surge in similar incidents, with Russia accused of orchestrating a wide array of covert actions designed to destabilize and intimidate. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine marked a turning point, prompting a dramatic escalation in both the scope and sophistication of Russian operations. As Western officials told AP, the use of disposable agents represents a calculated effort to minimize risk for Russian intelligence while maximizing disruption for target countries.
One of the most troubling aspects of this tactic is its reliance on the anonymity and reach of the internet. Unlike traditional espionage, which often involved carefully vetted agents with specialized training, today’s disposable agents can be anyone: a student, a retiree, or someone simply looking to make a quick euro online. The BKA’s campaign is designed to drive home the message that no one is immune from being targeted—and that the consequences of saying yes can be life-altering.
Law enforcement officials are also grappling with the challenge of investigating and prosecuting these cases. The nature of the crimes—often minor on the surface—can make it difficult to distinguish between genuine criminal activity and acts of espionage or sabotage. The BKA has called on the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious approaches, no matter how trivial they may seem. As the campaign makes clear, the stakes are high not just for individuals, but for the security of the nation as a whole.
The warning comes at a time of heightened tension between Germany and Russia, with diplomatic relations strained and mutual suspicion running high. For German authorities, the message is clear: vigilance, awareness, and prompt reporting are the best defenses against becoming an unwitting pawn in a much larger game. As the campaign “Don’t Become a Disposable Agent” rolls out across the country, officials hope that public awareness—and a healthy dose of skepticism—will help thwart Russia’s efforts to turn ordinary citizens into expendable tools of espionage and sabotage.
The specter of disposable agents serves as a stark reminder of the evolving nature of modern intelligence work. In a world where anyone with an internet connection can be recruited for clandestine operations, the lines between ordinary life and international intrigue have never been more blurred.
