Hybrider Krieg: Sabotage aus Russland – Mutmaßliche „Wegwerf-Agenten“ gestehen Attacken auf Autos

In a trial concerning the vandalism of hundreds of vehicles in four German states, the defendants have admitted to their guilt. They expressed deep regret over their actions, which were read out by their lawyers during the initial stages of the proceedings in Ulm's district court. The three defendants face charges of collective property damage.

So far, they have denied the accusations against them or made use of their right to remain silent. The group is alleged to have targeted numerous cars in Blaubeuren, Langenau, Ulm (Baden-Württemberg), Neu-Ulm (Bayern), Schönefeld (Brandenburg) and Berlin in December 2024. The defendants are accused of filling the exhaust pipes of the vehicles with polystyrene foam.

Additionally, they are accused of sticking yellow stickers with the slogan "BE GREEN!" and an image of the then-green Federal Economic Minister Robert Habeck onto the cars. Who are the masterminds behind this seemingly simple act of property damage? According to investigators, the motive behind these seemingly simple acts of property damage is a blatant attempt to influence the 2025 Bundestag elections – to the detriment of the Green Party.

The prosecution estimates that the orders for these actions came from an employer, who promised them 100 euros for each damaged car. The Federal Office for Protection of the Constitution has long warned of attempts by Russian secret services to recruit "one-time agents" for espionage and sabotage in Germany. These actions are viewed by security agencies as part of the hybrid threat facing Germany, primarily since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

"One-time agents" are not official intelligence service personnel; they are used for sabotage, propaganda, or surveillance. According to earlier statements from the prosecution, a suspect had reported that the attacks were carried out on orders from a person of Serbian nationality residing in Russia. However, the judge clarified during the start of the proceedings that the alleged employers, domestic or foreign, were expressly not the subject of the trial.

Investigations by the prosecution's office had not yielded any results and had been terminated. The 18-year-old told his lawyer that he did not know who his employer was.