Germany Accuses Russia of Hybrid Warfare
Berlin, Germany – Germany formally summoned the Russian ambassador to Berlin on Friday, December 12, 2025, following accusations that Russia was behind a significant cyberattack on German air traffic control and a widespread disinformation campaign aimed at influencing the country's recent federal election. The German Foreign Ministry stated that these 'hybrid activities' represent a direct threat to national security and democratic institutions.
A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry confirmed that comprehensive analysis by German intelligence services provided 'absolutely solid proof' of Moscow's responsibility.
Cyberattack on Air Traffic Control Attributed to GRU
One of the primary accusations centers on a cyberattack against German Air Safety in August 2024. German officials explicitly attributed this attack to the hacker collective APT28, also known as Fancy Bear.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated, 'Our intelligence findings prove that the Russian military intelligence service GRU bears responsibility for this attack.'
Election Interference Campaign 'Storm 1516' Detailed
In addition to the cyberattack, Germany accused Russia of attempting to 'influence and destabilise' the February 2025 federal election through a disinformation campaign known as Storm 1516.
This campaign allegedly involved the spread of artificially generated content, deepfakes, manipulated images, and misleading narratives via fake news websites. The objective was reportedly to divide German society, stir up mistrust, and undermine confidence in democratic institutions.
Specific instances cited include false claims against leading German politicians such as Robert Habeck and Annalena Baerbock, and allegations of electoral fraud. The campaign is believed to be linked to a GRU-supported Moscow think tank and other groups.
Germany Vows Countermeasures and European Coordination
Following the summoning of Ambassador Sergey Nechayev, the German Foreign Ministry announced that Berlin would implement 'a series of countermeasures to make Russia pay a price for its hybrid actions.'
These measures will be taken 'in close coordination with our European partners' and include supporting 'new individual sanctions against hybrid actors on a European level.' Furthermore, starting in January, EU countries will 'monitor cross-border travel by Russian diplomats within the Schengen Area' to facilitate information exchange and minimize intelligence risks.
The Russian embassy in Berlin initially declined to comment on the allegations but later dismissed the charges as 'absurd' and 'baseless.' This diplomatic escalation comes amidst heightened European concerns over alleged Russian espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns, particularly as Germany remains a significant supplier of aid to Ukraine.
5 Comments
Bermudez
While the allegations of interference are serious and warrant investigation, direct attribution can be incredibly complex. We need more transparency on the specific evidence before escalating too far.
Coccinella
Germany has a right to defend its sovereignty and democratic institutions. However, this move risks further isolating Russia and could complicate future efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Bella Ciao
Baseless accusations designed to escalate tensions, nothing new here.
Comandante
Another excuse for sanctions that hurt everyone. Stop the provocations!
Bermudez
The cyberattack on air traffic control is a grave concern that demands a response. Yet, the risk of misattribution or disproportionate retaliation could lead to unintended consequences for European stability.