The German military counterintelligence service is facing an increase in the activities of opposing secret services in Germany, which are becoming increasingly active.
The president of the German Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD), Martina Rosenberg, warned of increased activity by opposing secret services in Germany. According to the head of the German military secret service, the threat scenarios for the German army, the Bundeswehr, are different.
"Secret services controlled by adversary states use all available means to obtain information, exert influence and pursue their country's interests," Rosenberg said.
"Anomalies and multiple attempts at espionage"
After the Russian attack on Ukraine and the changing situation in Europe, defense against espionage is again becoming important for the German military. The German Military Counterintelligence Service has recorded "numerous anomalies and espionage attempts".
Thus, in the September-October period, repeated drone flights were observed over the military areas of the Bundeswehr and over the centers where Ukrainian soldiers train to use Western weapons. The purpose of these flights has not yet been clarified.
High level of espionage and pre-war against Ukraine
Experts say that espionage activities have increased significantly and are even more frequent than during the Cold War. This is also because the Internet and social networks constitute new points of attack.
The president of the German Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD), Martina Rosenberg, said that the activities of foreign spy services against the Bundeswehr were at a "high level" since before February 24, 2022 - that is, before Russia attacked Ukraine. Rosenberg said the purpose of the work of the military counterintelligence service is "to detect at an early stage and effectively avoid any espionage activities, especially of the Russian and Chinese secret services." She said that MAD cooperates with national and international partner authorities.
The military counterintelligence service is one of Germany's three secret services, alongside the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) and the Federal Secret Service (BND). MAD is headquartered in the Konrad-Adenauer barracks in Cologne and has around 1,400 employees./ DW