Germany is investigating a series of sophisticated phishing attacks aimed at senior politicians, diplomats, military personnel and journalists, with growing suspicion that Russia

may be behind the campaign, according to government sources.

Officials say the attacks appear to focus on users of secure messaging platforms, particularly Signal, a service widely used by public figures for confidential communication. While authorities have not publicly attributed responsibility, internal assessments increasingly point toward a state-backed actor, with Russia emerging as a primary suspect.

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency (BfV) and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) have issued multiple warnings this year about targeted cyber operations exploiting messaging applications. These attacks are believed to involve deceptive techniques designed to gain access to private accounts and sensitive communications.

Federal prosecutors confirmed on Friday that they have been investigating phishing incidents involving Signal since mid-April, though they declined to disclose further operational details.

The Kremlin has consistently denied involvement in cyber espionage or hacking activities against foreign governments.

Rising tensions in a fragile relationship

The suspected cyber campaign comes against the backdrop of already strained relations between Berlin and Moscow. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Germany has taken a markedly tougher stance, supporting sanctions, supplying military aid to Kyiv, and reducing its long-standing dependence on Russian energy.

Historically, Germany and Russia maintained deep economic ties, particularly in the energy sector, with projects like Nord Stream symbolizing close cooperation. However, geopolitical tensions, espionage concerns, and cyber incidents have significantly eroded trust.

German officials now view cyber threats as a central element of modern geopolitical conflict, with digital espionage increasingly replacing traditional intelligence methods. If confirmed, the latest attacks could further deepen the divide between the two countries and prompt stronger defensive and retaliatory measures from Berlin and its European allies. Photo by jaydeep_, Wikimedia commons.