German authorities are sounding the alarm over a new and deeply troubling threat: the recruitment of ordinary citizens as so-called "disposable agents" for Russian espionage and sabotage operations. The warning, delivered on September 2, 2025, comes amid a surge in clandestine activities linked to Moscow since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to multiple German security agencies and reported by outlets such as The Associated Press and Reuters.
At the heart of the concern is a sophisticated, yet chillingly simple, recruitment scheme. Russian intelligence operatives—sometimes acting directly, sometimes through intermediaries—have been using social media, messaging apps, and even job portals to identify and lure potential recruits in Germany. The approach is insidious: it often begins with a casual online conversation, perhaps about politics or current events, and then escalates to offers of small payments for seemingly minor tasks. The tasks, however, are anything but harmless.
According to Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), these "low-level agents" or "single-use agents" are frequently asked to commit acts of arson, property damage, or illicit surveillance, such as drone overflights and suspicious photography of sensitive sites. The targets are not random. Military facilities, defense industry sites, transport hubs, and energy infrastructure—particularly those connected to support for Ukraine—are all in the crosshairs. The aim, authorities say, is clear: destabilize Germany from within, sow distrust in its institutions, and gain strategic advantages for Russia without direct confrontation.
"They are ‘used’ and then ‘thrown away,’" the Federal Criminal Police Office starkly stated as it unveiled its new public awareness campaign, "Don’t become a disposable agent." The campaign emphasizes the grave legal risks, warning that anti-constitutional sabotage carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, while espionage can lead to up to ten years behind bars. If it is proven that the crimes were committed in the interests of a foreign intelligence service, the penalties can be even harsher.
German security officials have been blunt about the stakes. "Sabotage, espionage and propaganda activities carried out by foreign intelligence services deliberately undermine the stability of free societies," said Bruno Kahl, head of the BND foreign spy agency, as quoted by AFP. "They are an attack on our democracy through deception, intimidation and subversion."
The scale of the threat is not just theoretical. Several suspected cases are currently under investigation in Germany. Authorities have linked recent incidents of arson, property damage, and illicit drone flights to these "disposable agents." The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), and the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) jointly confirmed that Russia has intensified efforts to target German citizens online. "Russian services are increasingly trying to establish contact with people in Germany via social networks, messenger services, and job portals," the agencies said in a joint statement reported by The Associated Press.
The recruitment process is methodical. Malicious actors initiate contact under false identities, often offering cooperation on political projects or direct financial incentives. They assess the user’s political stance and, if the response is favorable, propose criminal acts—ranging from vandalism to information gathering. "Anyone who agrees becomes an ‘agent’ of another state… Behind these recruitment attempts may stand foreign intelligence services. Their goal is to destabilize Germany using people within the country," the agencies cautioned.
There is also a strong digital dimension to these operations. Fake accounts and manipulated content are being deployed to spread Kremlin-approved narratives, aiming to weaken trust in German institutions and stoke social divisions. According to The Associated Press, Russian-linked operations have recently sought to infiltrate political debates and gather sensitive information in Germany. Earlier reports highlighted a Russian disinformation campaign designed to boost the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party while undermining mainstream German parties.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has not minced words about the gravity of the situation. He described Russian President Vladimir Putin as "perhaps the most serious war criminal of our time." Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that Europe’s geographical distance is no guarantee of safety from Russian threats, citing missile technology capable of reaching European capitals within minutes.
Authorities are particularly concerned about the focus on military bases and training sites for Ukrainian soldiers. "Perpetrators hope to gain strategic advantages by spying on such facilities or disrupting their operations… Successful sabotage could severely damage military structures and undermine trust in the state," the agencies’ statement reads. This, they note, is a classic example of hybrid warfare—where an adversary seeks to weaken its opponent through indirect means rather than open conflict.
For the individuals targeted by these schemes, the risks are substantial and sobering. Many "disposable agents" are untrained and have little understanding of the broader objectives or the identities of those orchestrating the activities. They are often recruited for only a small amount of money and are left to face the consequences alone if caught. "They don’t have to ‘get their hands dirty’ themselves," the campaign warns, referring to the Russian handlers.
The campaign, rolled out by the Federal Criminal Police Office and backed by Germany’s intelligence agencies, urges citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious contact to domestic intelligence authorities. It also reminds the public that involvement in such activities is not only dangerous but carries severe legal consequences. "Anti-constitutional sabotage" can result in up to five years in prison, and "espionage activities" up to ten years, with even stricter penalties for actions proven to benefit foreign intelligence services.
Officials are also encouraging a broader culture of caution online. Citizens are advised to scrutinize unsolicited contacts, especially those offering money or proposing cooperation on seemingly innocuous projects. The message is clear: if something feels off, it probably is—and reporting it could help protect not just oneself, but the country as a whole.
As investigations continue into recent incidents—ranging from arson to drone overflights—the German government’s message is unequivocal. The threat from Russian intelligence operations is real, evolving, and demands a united response from both authorities and the public. In this new era of hybrid warfare, vigilance and awareness may be the best defense.
