The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution of Germany (BfV) has recorded a sharp increase in Russia’s attempts to acquire technologies in the country suitable for military use, as reported by Handelsblatt.
Moscow’s active interest in German developments is directly linked to the war against Ukraine and the effect of European Union sanctions. Restrictions introduced since 2022 have significantly complicated weapons procurement, prompting Russian entities and intelligence services to seek ways to bypass export bans. Moscow’s priorities include high-precision machine tools, microelectronics, specialized software, as well as laboratory equipment and innovative materials.
The 48-page report notes that Russian intelligence agencies are actively involved in these procurement operations. This allows them to conceal the true end users and the actual purpose of the products. Such actions increase the risks of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, since the concern is not only finished combat systems but also access to the technology and know-how needed to create or modernize nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Dual-use goods, which can be employed in the production of missiles, drones, and other delivery systems, are also at risk.
Germany remains a priority target for such operations due to its status as a leading industrial power with a strong research and development base. According to the BfV, the professional level of technology procurement efforts in the country remains consistently high and continues to grow. Targets include both large multinational corporations and medium-sized enterprises that are world leaders in niche technology sectors. Complex networks are created to carry out these schemes, where shell companies act as buyers and logistics are routed through intermediaries in EU countries and elsewhere.
German courts are already handling specific cases of such activity. In September 2025, a trial began in Frankfurt am Main against a businessman suspected of participating in an international network to procure military goods for Russia. In the same month, the Hamburg Regional Court sentenced a businessman to four and a half years in prison for supplying electronic components worth over €850,000 to Russia, which were primarily paid for via Hong Kong.
While Russia, with the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, poses the greatest concern, the agency emphasizes that other high-risk states should not be overlooked. These include China, Iran, Pakistan, and North Korea, all of which are actively trying to acquire Western technologies and know-how to develop their military programs.
