Germany Summons Russian Ambassador Amid Rising Hybrid Threats
Germany has summoned the Russian ambassador following an increase in Moscow’s hybrid attacks aimed at destabilizing the country.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to The Guardian.
According to a spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry, authorities are observing a “significant increase in Russian hybrid activities” targeting the stability of Germany.
In particular, the activities have been attributed to the Storm 1516 network that specializes in foreign information manipulation and interference and reportedly attempted to influence the results of the federal elections in February.
In addition, the German government linked a cyberattack on aviation safety systems in August to the Russian hacker collective APT28. In response to these threats, Germany summoned the Russian ambassador in Berlin and stated that it “will decide on further diplomatic measures” at a later date.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized that the government is closely monitoring Russia’s actions and is prepared to take measures to protect national security and democratic processes in the country.
Earlier, German intelligence had already warned about the Russian threat to the 2026 regional elections. Sinan Selen, head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), noted that Moscow could exploit the elections to influence public opinion and political processes through cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation campaigns.
In response to the rising threats, the German government is developing a secret defense plan in case of war with Russia, known as Operation Plan Germany (OPLAN DEU). The document provides for the deployment of up to 800,000 NATO troops and details routes for movement, logistics, the modernization of transport infrastructure, and the preparation of civilian services. The plan also considers modern challenges such as drones, cyberattacks, and sabotage, aiming to deter aggression by demonstrating readiness and defensive capability.
In a broader context, NATO is also changing its approach to hybrid threats, including cyber operations, disinformation campaigns, and airspace violations. The alliance is considering more preventive and even offensive measures to protect member states, particularly on the eastern flank. Military analysts warn that the threat from Russia could materialize much sooner than Western governments anticipate.
As The Gaze reported earlier, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that Russia could become the next threat to the Alliance, calling for urgent strengthening of defense capabilities and support for Ukraine.
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