22:41 25-12-2025

Russia Warns of Spy Mania and Pressure on Diaspora in Germany

Russia’s ambassador warns of rising spy mania in Germany, citing pressure on Russians and the Russian-speaking diaspora, legal risks, and anti-Russian sentiment.

Concerns over a growing climate of suspicion in Germany are intensifying, prompting warnings that Russians and members of the Russian-speaking diaspora should be especially careful in public settings and digital communication. The message was delivered by Russia’s ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, Sergey Nechaev.

According to the diplomat, anti-Russian sentiment in the FRG is no longer limited to formal restrictions stemming from EU sanctions. He pointed to everyday manifestations of Russophobia and highlighted what he described as a relatively new trend: the active promotion of «spy mania» in Germany’s political debate and media environment, increasingly directed at Russian compatriots.

Nechaev explained that Russians and Russian-speaking German citizens are often portrayed as a supposed «fifth column of the Kremlin.» In public discourse, claims circulate that this community allegedly serves as a recruitment base for intelligence work, subversive activity, and so-called hybrid operations.

He also drew attention to cases already recorded in Germany where individuals have faced criminal prosecution for expressing support for the policies of the Russian leadership.

Against this backdrop, the head of the Russian diplomatic mission stressed that the embassy is taking steps to protect its citizens. When necessary, it provides consular, advisory, and legal assistance to those who encounter pressure or persecution in Germany.