German Digital Ministry defends new Berlin office near Russian House

The German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDS) is defending its decision to move several departments to a new location in Berlin's Taubenstraße, situated adjacent to the Russian House. The move has raised security concerns due to the proximity of the Russian House, an institution managed by Rossotrudnichestvo—a Russian state agency under EU sanctions—which European authorities have suspected of serving as a cover for Russian intelligence activities.

In response to these concerns, the ministry stated that the location choice involved extensive consultations with security agencies and that all recommended protective measures are being implemented. The ministry clarified that highly sensitive units, such as those responsible for the security of public telecommunications networks, are not located at the Taubenstraße site; instead, they remain in Bonn or at the Friedrichstraße location in Berlin.

The new Berlin office currently houses approximately 130 employees from the Digital Economy and Digital Infrastructure departments, as well as the secretariat of the National Regulatory Control Council.