Berlin (dts) - The two German-Russians who were arrested in Bavaria on suspicion of Russian espionage are said to have voluntarily offered to cooperate with a foreign secret service. “Apparently we are once again dealing with a case of self-suppliers,” people familiar with the process explained to the “Handelsblatt” (Friday edition).
According to security sources, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution's counterintelligence department is said to have followed up on a corresponding tip-off. “In this case, concrete evidence of spying on facilities in Germany in connection with the war in Ukraine was obtained on behalf of Russian authorities,” the sources said.
Security authorities therefore see Germans from Russia as “a potential target group for Russian intelligence services”. “Russian intelligence services also traditionally search for suitable targets for secret service agent activity among ethnic German repatriates,” said security circles. In some cases, late repatriates are “addressed by the intelligence services” before they leave for Germany.
It was also said in circles that Russian espionage and sabotage activities were at the same level as during the Cold War. One expects a “methodological reorientation of Russian espionage towards even more conspiracy”. Russian services have a great interest in military facilities and support services for Ukraine and are breaking new ground.
