Germany expelled 400 Russians since 2022, including 80 suspected spy diplomats — Bild
Germany has expelled nearly 400 Russians since early 2022 (photo: Getty Images)
The number of Russia's embassy personnel in Germany has been significantly reduced since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine. The latest expulsion of Russian diplomats took place this year, following a high-profile espionage case, Bild reports.
Number of Russians expelled
According to the outlet, Germany has expelled more than 80 Russian diplomats since February 2022. Most of them were agents operating under diplomatic cover.
German Foreign Ministry said the staff of the Russian embassy has been significantly reduced since the start of the war. In addition to diplomatic personnel, Germany has expelled another 313 Russian citizens since 2022.
Who is considered a spy
The ministry said Russians with diplomatic status who were expelled were considered to have ties to intelligence activities. Most of them worked under diplomatic cover.
Based on Bild's data, the most recent expulsion of diplomats occurred in January 2026.
High-profile espionage case
At the time, Germany declared the deputy military attaché at the Russian Embassy in Berlin persona non grata. The move came after the arrest of a German citizen of Ukrainian origin, Ilona V., whom German authorities consider an agent of the Russian intelligence services.
According to investigators, she had been working for the Russian secret service since November 2023. After her arrest, her handler at the embassy was forced to leave the country.
"The German government will not tolerate espionage in Germany, especially not under the guise of diplomatic status," the German Foreign Ministry said at the time.
As previously reported, in recent years, Europe has recorded a surge in Russian hybrid activity, ranging from espionage to acts of sabotage.
Just days ago, Germany arrested a Ukrainian citizen suspected of collecting information for Russian intelligence services. Investigators said Russia was preparing an assassination attempt against the head of Donaustahl, a German drone manufacturer.
Similar threats have been reported in other countries as well. For example, two Russian agents were arrested on the Serbia-Hungary border. Investigators noted that they were allegedly paid to prepare an act of sabotage at a defense facility in Germany.
Italy had previously expelled two Russian military attachés amid an espionage scandal.
