German and Austrian security services tighten safeguards against Russian spy activity

German intelligence agencies, the BND and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, report a rise in suspected Russian espionage targeting their operations and have stepped up protective measures.

In Austria, the Bundesheer has documented a marked increase in espionage incidents, including a case where a man claiming to be a Belarusian tourist photographed a military base, unauthorized drone flights over installations, and phone calls using false identities to seek sensitive information. Officials link the pattern to foreign services, chiefly Russia, and have intensified reporting and awareness campaigns among personnel.

German investigators also uncovered a covert camera at the Minden railway station, a key hub for military logistics, which they suspect was intended to monitor arms shipments to Ukraine. Both countries are responding with heightened security protocols and training to counter the growing spy threat.