RTL investigative report exposes a Russian network recruiting 'disposable agents' in Germany, orchestrating espionage against CDU and German defense industry, sabotage attempts on critical infrastructure, and recruitment via Telegram with payment in Bitcoin. Over one year, RTL reporters operated undercover inside the network, receiving assignments to spy on a human rights organization, CDU staff, political parties, and defense companies. The investigation reveals a hybrid warfare strategy involving low-entry-level agents in Germany executing Russian intelligence tasks, including a failed sabotage attack on Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle airport. The report includes an exclusive interview with Stefan Thumann, a weapons manufacturer who fled due to espionage and assassination attempts. One RTL reporter was unmasked, threatened, and received a murder threat from the network. The findings illustrate the ease of recruitment, the covert nature of hybrid attacks, and the blend of espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, and propaganda linked to Russian intelligence.

RTL investigative report exposes a Russian network recruiting 'disposable agents' in Germany, orchestrating espionage against CDU and German defense industry, sabotage attempts on critical infrastructure, and recruitment via Telegram with payment in Bitcoin. Over one year, RTL reporters operated undercover inside the network, receiving assignments to spy on a human rights organization, CDU staff, political parties, and defense companies. The investigation reveals a hybrid warfare strategy involving low-entry-level agents in Germany executing Russian intelligence tasks, including a failed sabotage attack on Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle airport. The report includes an exclusive interview with Stefan Thumann, a weapons manufacturer who fled due to espionage and assassination attempts. One RTL reporter was unmasked, threatened, and received a murder threat from the network. The findings illustrate the ease of recruitment, the covert nature of hybrid attacks, and the blend of espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, and propaganda linked to Russian intelligence.