{
  "id": 12116127,
  "title": "Hybride Kriegsführung?: Mutmaßliche „Wegwerf-Agenten“ gestehen Bauschaum-Attacken",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/hybride-kriegsfuhrung-mutma-liche-wegwerf-agenten-gestehen-bauschaum",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T09:00:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/hybride-kriegsfuehrung-mutmassliche-wegwerf-agenten-gestehen-bauschaum-attacken/100259751.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "In a landmark trial involving the deployment of \"disposable agents\" in sabotage attacks, three individuals - two 18-year-olds and a 22-year-old woman - have confessed to filling car exhaust pipes with polystyrene foam and attaching political stickers to vehicles across multiple federal states. The suspects expressed deep regret for their actions during the proceedings at Ulm District Court, admitting to their defense attorneys. The group is accused of damaging numerous cars in Blaubeuren, Langenau, Ulm, Neu-Ulm, Schönefeld, and Berlin in December 2024, allegedly to influence voting behavior ahead of the 2025 Bundestag elections. State prosecutors claim the attacks were commissioned to sway public opinion in Germany, with a promise of 100 euros per damaged vehicle. The Federal Office for Protection of the Constitution has long warned of Russian intelligence agents recruiting \"throwaway agents\" for espionage and sabotage in Germany, part of a broader hybrid threat since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While the suspects denied the allegations and invoked their right to remain silent, authorities suspect a possible liaison from Serbia within Russia. The court clarified that any alleged sponsors, whether domestic or foreign, are not under investigation.",
  "summary": "Sachschaden und ein angeblicher Auftraggeber aus Russland: Im Prozess um Bauschaum-Attacken auf Hunderte Autos gestehen die Angeklagten. Doch die entscheidenden Fragen bleiben offen.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Handelsblatt",
        "title": "Hybrider Krieg: Sabotage aus Russland – Mutmaßliche „Wegwerf-Agenten“ gestehen Attacken auf Autos",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/hybrider-krieg-sabotage-aus-russland-mutma-liche-wegwerf-agenten",
        "published": "2026-10-05T09:16:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}