Germany fights Russian spies as slowly as it helps Ukraine with weapons

German counterintelligence knows about 200 Russian spies by name, writes DW. Most of them work in the Russian embassy and consulates. But in the absence of evidence, they are still not deported. Bild reports that their manager is a resident of Germany. According to the news outlet, only about 10% of the agency has been revealed.

In the spring, 40 agents of the Russian special services, disguised as diplomats, were sent out of the country, and now “visa rules for Russians are being tightened.” The media and the opposition mercilessly criticize the government for its slowness.

After the start of the war in Ukraine, counterintelligence warned the government that it had Russian spies. But the officials did not give the command to watch the Russians.  Now the German special services seem to have woken up. But a lot of time was wasted, and former CIA agent John Sipher calls German counterintelligence “less useful and competent compared to European counterparts.” The Bundestag and the intelligence itself agree that Russian gas and romanticized attitudes toward Russia have caused enormous damage to Germany's security.

Meanwhile, the German government, despite pressure from politicians and part of society, does not dare to hand over Leopard tanks to Ukraine and expects that other NATO partners will make a decision sooner.

• Germany won't unilaterally transfer Western-style tanks to Ukraine, and this condition will remain in place this year
• German opposition leader demands that Scholz approve supply of tanks to Ukraine
• Some experts recommend turning to other non-NATO countries for help
• France to hand over AMX-10RC light battle tanks, Bastion armored personnel carriers to Ukraine