{
  "id": 7358944,
  "title": "German intelligence report warns of rising Chinese, Russian spy threat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/german-intelligence-report-warns-of-rising-chinese-russian-spy-threat",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-14T16:41:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3367505/german-intelligence-report-warns-rising-chinese-russian-spy-threat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Germany's military intelligence agency, MAD, has issued a warning of an increasing threat from espionage activities by China and Russia. The agency's annual report, released on Monday, cites Germany's strategic location in Europe and NATO as reasons for the heightened targeting. MAD points to a range of potential threats including cyberattacks, drone attacks, and attempts at political influence. The report highlights the growing use of contract agents and low-level agents for espionage purposes, with a particular concern for German military personnel traveling abroad, including visits to Russia and Belarus. This increases vulnerability to blackmail and threats from foreign security services. China's intelligence services are also involved in surveillance activities targeting military infrastructure, including drone flights and intrusions onto Bundeswehr property. Additionally, there has been an uptick in suspected right-wing extremist cases within the German military. There was a 26% increase in such cases in 2025 compared to 2024. The MAD has identified 11 armed forces staff as right-wing extremists and 21 individuals with credible evidence of disloyalty to the constitution. The report also notes the influence of new right-wing groups on social media and their involvement in disruptive actions against public events.",
  "summary": "Germany’s military counter-intelligence agency, known as MAD, has warned of a growing threat from hybrid attacks and the use of recruited contract agents, or low-level agents, saying Germany is a “prioritised target of Russian espionage activities”. According to the agency’s annual report released on Monday, it cited Germany’s geostrategic position in Europe and Nato the expansion of the…",
  "key_points": [
    "German military intelligence warns of rising Chinese, Russian espionage threat.",
    "26% increase in right-wing extremist cases in German military in 2025.",
    "China targets German military infrastructure with drones and intrusions."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "German intelligence report warns of rising Chinese, Russian spy threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/german-intelligence-report-warns-of-rising-chinese-russian-spy-threat-7359661",
        "published": "2026-09-14T16:41:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ukrinform - Politics",
        "title": "FM Sybiha on recruitment of Russian agents in Germany: I urge European governments to take this threat seriously",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/fm-sybiha-on-recruitment-of-russian-agents-in-germany-i-urge-european",
        "published": "2026-09-14T17:45:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}