A German journalist posed as a pro-Russian blogger to make contact with Russian recruiters

A German journalist posed as a pro-Russian blogger to make contact with Russian recruiters

The German TV channel RTL released an investigation into an alleged network of Russian “disposable agents” — people who are offered money through messengers to carry out individual assignments.

RTL reporter Angelika Geray spent several months creating a second digital identity (“Katya”). Under this pseudonym, she posed as a pro-Russian influencer, tried to build an audience on social networks, and make contacts in that milieu. The investigation itself lasted a year, and other journalists also worked undercover.

Through Telegram, they received assignments from people whom RTL considers linked to Russia. At first, the tasks looked simple: for example, taking a photograph, picking up a package, or buying a SIM card. But later, RTL claims, the journalists were asked to reconnoiter a human rights organization, follow a CDU (Christian Democratic Union of Germany) employee, infiltrate one of the parties, and gather information about German defense companies.

The “Katya” account drew the attention of Jovica Jović — a member of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance party, whom RTL calls “one of the biggest figures in Germany’s pro-Russian milieu.” In conversations with the journalist, he allowed that Russian intelligence could be connected to pro-Russian propaganda in Germany.

Later, in an interview with RTL, Jović denied ties to intelligence services and involvement in a disinformation campaign. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance said he is an ordinary party member without any positions and promised to look into the situation.

After her cover had already been blown, Geray received a death threat on her answering machine: “If you try to run away, you’ll get a bullet!”

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