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Germany Reports 1,000 Suspicious Drone Flights as Russian Espionage Intensifies
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
In 2025, German authorities have already logged more than 1,000 suspicious drone incidents, most frequently detected over military sites and other critical infrastructure, according to Holger Münch, head of Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), who spoke to Bild on December 21.
Münch cautioned that Russian activities in Germany have escalated to a “completely different intensity” since the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, encompassing espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, and drones operating near military facilities.
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“Russian espionage existed even before the war in Ukraine. There was also something resembling disinformation. But since the war in Ukraine, we are observing a completely different intensity. Entirely new methods are being used,” Münch said.
He added that German authorities are now pursuing far more cases related to espionage, sabotage, and disinformation. “We call this a hybrid threat,” he noted, recalling the chancellor’s assessment: “We are not at war, but we are no longer at peace either.”
Addressing the rise in drone sightings over military bases and airports, Münch said it remains unclear whether these incidents amount to a “love letter from Moscow.” Since the start of the year, officials have been compiling a situational report that gathers data on all suspicious cases, including those involving Germany’s armed forces.
“This year alone, more than a thousand suspicious drone flights have already been registered. Military facilities and airports have been most affected, as well as other critical infrastructure such as defense companies or port facilities,” Münch stated.
He also said that numerous drone operators have been identified this year, though not all were apprehended, with some managing to escape. In several instances, Münch stressed, it was evident the operators were not amateurs, and drone swarms were also detected.
According to Münch, Russia’s aim with such actions is to spread uncertainty, heighten public concern, and collect intelligence. He noted that drones frequently fly over German military sites where Ukrainian soldiers are training and may be carrying smartphones.
“A drone measures which smartphones are present and can potentially identify them later on the Ukrainian front,” Münch explained.
He added that his agency has expanded its workforce by several hundred specialists with expertise in espionage, sabotage, and cybersecurity.
Earlier, drone crews from the 63rd Mechanized Brigade’s unmanned systems battalion released footage showing multiple attacks on Russian positions in the Serebriansky Forest.
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