Kremlin shifts spy tactics to "travelling agents" amid diplomatic expulsions

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Russian intelligence services have had to change their methods of operation—the expulsion of many spies accredited as diplomats from other countries severely affected Moscow. German experts warn that the Kremlin now focuses on "travelling agents".

In 2022, Germany decided to expel 40 Russian diplomats. This was a significant number intended to express dissatisfaction with Russia's actions. In 2023, Germany went even further by expelling another 30 Russian diplomats. Russia had to close its consulates in four German cities: Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Leipzig.

The Putin regime decided only to staff the embassy in Berlin and the consulate general in Bonn - German media reports. According to information from WDR, NDR, and the "Sueddeutsche Zeitung" newspaper, about 20 spies are still accredited as diplomats in Germany. Before the war in Ukraine, there were about 100.

"German counterintelligence estimates that up to one-third of the Russian diplomatic staff are actually agents," writes the Tagesschau portal.

In some cases, Russia tries to replace diplomats expelled from European countries with spies who were previously stationed in embassies of African countries. The Dutch intelligence services recently warned that agents with fake biographies are being sent as businessmen - writes Tagesschau.

Russian spies will also be more active in Turkey, Dubai and North Africa. "The Putin regime is also suspected of cooperating with organised crime," we read.

Tagesschau writes that the Russian consulate general in Bonn might play a special role in Russian espionage. A large part of the defence ministry is still located at Hardthöhe. In the former capital of Germany, there are also many international organisations whose work is interesting to Moscow. "At the same time, the staff can quickly travel from Bonn to neighbouring countries, such as France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, or Belgium, to operate there," experts indicate.

As the seat of the European Union and NATO institutions, Brussels is particularly important for Russia due to information-gathering opportunities. However, Belgium is becoming difficult terrain for spies - notes Tagesschau. "Here, Bonn comes into play since the Russian agents residing there would not necessarily be on the radar of authorities in other countries," we read.

In the case of exposure, their actions abroad would not immediately lead to diplomatic turmoil, as they would not be active where they are accredited as diplomatic personnel. The portal notes that "Travelling agents" could thus take advantage of a certain kind of international loophole.

Security circles believe that diplomatic staff accredited in Austria could play an especially important role in Russian spying operations in Germany. So far, only eight spies have had to leave Austria, although it is estimated that up to 100 Russian agents accredited as diplomats reside in Vienna.