Russia Expands Hybrid Warfare in Europe Recruiting Saboteurs via Telegram

Germany's intelligence chiefs have warned that Russia is actively recruiting "low-level agents" across Europe through the Telegram app by monitoring pro-Kremlin channels and offering small payments for tasks such as photographing military sites or starting fires. This recruitment is part of a broader hybrid warfare campaign by Russia, which includes espionage, sabotage, drone incursions, and disinformation targeting Germany and other Western countries, with Germany experiencing drone attacks on military and civilian sites. The German government and intelligence agencies have cautioned citizens against becoming unwitting participants in these activities, highlighting the use of "low-level agents" who conduct minor sabotage but are not classified as spies. Additionally, suspicions have arisen around the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, with allegations that its members may be collecting sensitive information on critical infrastructure and passing it to Russia, although some officials dispute these claims. Beyond Germany, Russian intelligence efforts have targeted political figures in other European countries, including Brexit Party MEPs in the UK, as part of an extensive network seeking to spread pro-Kremlin narratives and influence Western politics. These developments underscore the escalating threat posed by Russian hybrid tactics amid Europe's precarious security environment.