The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has issued an official security notice (Sicherheitshinweis) to German businesses, citing a sharply increased threat from Russian intelligence services.
The agency assesses the risk level as elevated, particularly for companies in the defence industry. Firms manufacturing drones and robotic systems, as well as those providing support to Ukraine, are considered especially vulnerable. The document states: “There is an increased likelihood that such enterprises will become targets of intelligence-gathering and sabotage operations conducted by Russian state actors or on their behalf.”
The BfV further notes that, depending on the course of the war in Ukraine, targeted attacks against individual employees — especially senior management — cannot be ruled out. As one of Ukraine’s key military suppliers, Germany sees its defence sector and associated logistics networks treated as priority targets by Russian services.
The agency cites recent examples, including sabotage against railway infrastructure in Poland and the discovery of a concealed camera at Minden station in Germany in September of last year, installed near a German-British engineer bridging battalion. According to the BfV, the device may have been intended to gather information on military transport.
Earlier this year, concrete cases were already recorded, including arrests on suspicion of espionage for Russia at a German drone manufacturer, as well as other incidents involving attempts to obtain technology and data related to supplies for Ukraine. Senior executives of major companies, including Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, are under enhanced police protection following reports of possible assassination plots.The BfV urges employees of defence companies to exercise heightened vigilance, particularly during travel abroad, and recommends strengthening internal security measures. The agency continues efforts to enhance the resilience of the German economy against hybrid threats as part of the national economic protection strategy.