Hybrid Struggle of Putin: How German Government was Drowsy by Russians

germany - Former high-ranking German intelligence officer brings attention to Russia's hybrid warfare against Germany, involving sabotage, espionage, and propaganda.

For years, the German government failed to grasp Russia's covert operations, as emphasized by Arndt Freytag von Loringhoven, a former director at the German foreign intelligence service BND and ex-diplomat in Russia. Recent events include threats to the head of Rheinmetall, a weapon company involved in building tanks for Ukraine, by Russian hired killers. Putin even praised a convicted killer near the Chancellor's office. Furthermore, there have been threats and hostile drones above the NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen as well as numerous Russian spies detected around the BND in Bavaria.

Freytag von Loringhoven points out that Russia aims to undermine German and European democracy by spreading fake news on topics like COVID-19, migration, and the attack on October 7th. He mentions the existence of troll factories in St. Petersburg and Moscow, actively engaged in influencing the EU. Propaganda, disinformation, and cyberattacks pose severe threats as outlined in Freytag's book on Putin's assault on Germany.

Konstantin von Notz, chairman of the German parliamentary committee overseeing intelligence services, expresses concerns over Germany's naivety regarding Russian influence. Notz questions whether Germany could potentially be swayed by Russia to depart from the Western alliance. Examples include former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's ties to Gazprom, pro-Russian stances of various political parties, and the role of Russian media in disseminating propaganda.

Freytag, with a background in diplomacy and intelligence, highlights the importance of Western cooperation in countering Russian disinformation efforts. He acknowledges the existence of pro-Russian fake accounts and disinformation campaigns targeting Germans online. Von Notz emphasizes the challenge of countering manipulation attempts, particularly through social media channels like Telegram.

The intelligence oversight leader Von Notz expresses pessimism, stating that Germany is lagging behind in recognizing and responding to the hybrid warfare tactics employed by Russia. The Kremlin allegedly had formulated a manifesto for the far-right AfD party aiming to sow discord and breed nationalism in Germany.

The influence of Russian propaganda via Telegram has instigated extreme actions, such as attempted armed coups in Berlin by individuals misled by false narratives. There have been cases of AfD members engaging with Russian authorities, raising concerns about potential betrayals of national interests.