Berlin The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution is concerned about internal security in view of the spread of false news by the Russian embassy. The embassy on its website and in the social networks “apparently aware” of the actual extent of attacks or discrimination against people of Russian origin in Germany, according to a current “security notice” from the Cologne authority on the war in Ukraine. In doing so, the embassy relied on “unverifiable allegations”.
“This action can help to further fuel the already emotionally charged social situation, especially within the Russian and Ukrainian communities in Germany,” warns the German domestic secret service. Against this background, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution points out that actions such as the pro-Russian motorcade through Berlin and reports and images of alleged war crimes could cause “additional tension”.
At the weekend there were pro-Russian motorcades in several German cities. But there were also counter-demonstrations. On Saturday, a motorcade with around 190 cars and Russian flags on the hoods rolled through Stuttgart. The motto of the demo was: “Against discrimination against Russian-speaking people”. The demonstrators called for “Stop Russophobia” and “against discrimination against Russian-speaking children in schools”.
In Berlin, where a week earlier a motorcade with Russian flags had caused outrage, a day-long solidarity event was held on Sunday under the motto “Beacon Ukraine”. Activists and visitors called for help and support for the attacked country. The organizers counted more than 8500 participants.
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Berlin’s Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey explained that motorcades are covered by the freedom of assembly. “We can only take action against crime. For example, when the Russian Z symbol is shown publicly,” the SPD politician told the Handelsblatt. “But of course we cannot forbid people to show the Russian flag.”
FDP accuses Russian embassy of “aggression against the Federal Republic”.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February, a white “Z” has often been seen on Russian tanks and uniforms. It stands for “Za Pobedu” – “For Victory”. It will also be displayed outside of the war zone on buildings, cars and clothing, and on social media in support of aggressive warfare.
According to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the Russian embassy has set up an “SOS” e-mail account on its homepage for reporting cases of “bullying, harassment, threats, attacks or physical violence” against Russian nationals. All Russian consulates also offer a corresponding e-mail availability or accept information via their regular inbox.
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“The reported cases are publicly listed on the website under the hashtag #StopHatingRussians,” explained the Cologne authority. The thematic posts in the embassy’s official social media channels are “strongly geared towards a supposedly increasing Russophobia in Germany”.
The FDP is alarmed by the actions of the Russian embassy and brings consequences into play. “By representatives of the Russian state spreading their lies in Germany, discord is deliberately sowed in society. Therein lies an aggression against the Federal Republic,” parliamentary group leader Konstantin Kuhle told the Handelsblatt. “The federal government can respond with further expulsions of Russian diplomats and should reserve this step for further dissemination of targeted disinformation.”
The Union called for decisive action against Russia’s hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns. “Now all the means of the well-fortified constitutional state must be exhausted to slow down these attempts,” said parliamentary group vizin Andrea Lindholz (CSU) to the Handelsblatt. “Our arsenal ranges from the penal code, the right of assembly and European countermeasures to intelligence tools.” This must now be used resolutely.
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Kuhle said that in Germany nobody should be discriminated against because of their origin or their language. “Of course, this also applies to people who immigrated to Germany themselves or their ancestors from Russia,” says Kuhle. “However, the warning from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution hits the mark.”
It is in line with the Russian government’s strategy to accuse European states of structural anti-Russian hostility or Russophobia that has nothing to do with the reality in Germany and other countries. “Individual incidents are deliberately exaggerated by representatives of the Russian state and glorified as a structural problem.” The FDP politician advised German politicians and the media not to play this game by continuing to tell the story of alleged Russophobia uncritically.
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The Office for the Protection of the Constitution also warns that political decision-makers in Germany, their employees or employees in the administration could become “directly or indirectly” targets of influence and cyber attacks. Here, too, the Russian embassy apparently plays a major role. It is possible that the Russian intelligence services use the information received via the embassy’s “SOS” mailbox “specifically for operational purposes, such as initiation”.
It also cannot be ruled out that statements or decisions made by political decision-makers, their employees or employees in the administration “are interpreted as anti-Russian and used for propaganda purposes”. “This also applies to statements by Russian employees and contacts that could be interpreted as anti-Russian,” explains the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
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