Amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions and the intensification of hybrid threats, the diplomatic corps of the Russian Federation in Germany has undergone radical changes. As of August 2026, the staff of the Russian Embassy in Berlin has been reduced to a minimum necessary size. The official Berlin government has confirmed that since the start of the full-scale war in February 2022, more than 80 Russian diplomats have been expelled. German authorities have consistently pursued a policy of 'zero tolerance' towards intelligence activities conducted under the diplomatic flag.
Expulsion Statistics and 'Agent' Status
The German Federal Foreign Office provided detailed data on the course of the 'purge' of the diplomatic corps. During the period from 2022 to 2026, Germany not only reduced the number of diplomatic personnel but also expelled 313 Russian citizens who did not possess diplomatic immunity. A key factor in these decisions was the investigation into the activities of individuals masquerading as diplomats. Berlin classifies the majority of expelled staff as agents acting in the interests of Russian intelligence services, using diplomatic status to legitimize espionage activities.
The Resonant Case of January 2026
The last major expulsion of diplomats took place in January 2026, marking the culmination of a high-profile espionage scandal. At the center of the events was the Deputy Military Attaché of the Russian Embassy, who was declared persona non grata. The incident was linked to the arrest of Ilona V., a German citizen of Ukrainian origin, whom German authorities accused of working for Russian intelligence since November 2023. Following the detention of the handler, who, according to the prosecution, directed the agent's activities, Berlin immediately demanded the attaché's departure. The German Foreign Ministry stated that espionage disguised as diplomacy is unacceptable and will be strictly suppressed.
Context of Hybrid Warfare: Sabotage and Assassination Attempts
The reduction of the diplomatic corps is taking place against a backdrop of a surge in Russian intelligence activity in Europe. In the last months of 2026, attempts at sabotage and assassinations of key defense industry facilities were recorded. In Germany, a Ukrainian citizen was detained for suspected data collection to prepare an assassination attempt on the head of the German drone manufacturer Donaustahl. Furthermore, two Russian agents were detained at the border of Serbia and Hungary, planning a sabotage operation at a defense facility in Germany. These incidents confirm Berlin's thesis that diplomatic missions are often used as a staging ground for operational work.
Regional Context and Allies' Reaction
Germany is not the only country to have tightened control over Russian missions. Italy previously expelled two military attachés amidst an espionage scandal, demonstrating the coordinated actions of NATO countries in response to threats. European states are recording an increase in attempts to gather information and conduct sabotage, forcing them to review the rules for the stay of foreign diplomats. In fact, diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and Germany have entered a phase of minimal interaction, where security takes precedence over diplomatic protocol.
