Roughly 15 to 20 Russian intelligence agents may have worked under diplomatic cover at Russia's consulate in Bonn, Germany, according to a report by the German tabloid Bild.
Citing internal information from Brussels circles, Bild reported that these individuals actually worked for Russian intelligence agencies, including the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the military intelligence directorate known as the GRU.
The outlet stressed that the figures on the number of agents and their activities come from its own sources and have not been officially confirmed by German authorities.
Consulate described as intelligence hub
According to Bild, the consulate may have served as a base for Russian intelligence operations across Europe. The outlet reported that European diplomats view the Russian consulate in Bonn as a centre supporting hybrid operations.
Bild's sources suggested the campaigns coordinated from the consulate were not aimed solely at Germany. The Benelux countries, institutions of the European Union and NATO headquarters in Belgium were also named among the targets.
For that reason, Bild's sources said Berlin's decision to close the consulate general should not be viewed purely as a symbolic response to an attempted sabotage attack at Leipzig airport.
Tensions between Russia and Germany
The Ukrainian outlet UNIAN previously reported that Germany, for the first time, held Russia responsible for an attempted attack using explosive-laden drones near Leipzig airport. According to Politico, Berlin intends to push for new European Union sanctions against Russia.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the Russian leadership treats Germany with open hostility. He said the attempted attack in Leipzig was a deliberate move by Moscow intended to worsen relations between the two countries, which were already strained.
Separately, German defence entrepreneur Stefan Tumann said the sabotage operations Russia is carrying out against his country amount to an act of war that is controlled and coordinated by Russian armed forces. Tumann rejected the term hybrid war, which EU leaders use to describe the Kremlin's campaign in Europe, saying instead that Germany and Russia are in a state of war. The warning came as Berlin hardens its stance on suspected Russian sabotage.
