Russian intelligence services are orchestrating a hybrid operation involving German pacifist groups to undermine the upcoming Munich Security Conference and disrupt Western support for Ukraine, according to security assessments.
Russian Intelligence Targets Munich Security Forum
Security officials have identified preparations for a coordinated influence campaign scheduled to coincide with the Munich Security Conference from 13-15 February 2026. The operation reportedly involves spreading pro-Kremlin narratives designed to legitimise Moscow’s military actions and halt military assistance to Kyiv. The Munich conference represents a crucial annual platform where European security policies are coordinated, making it a prime target for Russian disinformation efforts aimed at shaping the security agenda.
Historical Peace Movement Co-opted
Central to the planned campaign is the Friedensbewegung (Peace Movement), a network of anti-war, pacifist and anti-militarist organisations originally formed in West Germany during the Cold War decades of the 1950s to 1980s. Historically opposed to NATO and nuclear weapons deployment, elements within this movement have established contacts with Russian security services and far-right groups across Europe. This network is now being mobilised to stage street demonstrations and disseminate material opposing continued support for Ukraine’s defence efforts.
Narratives Aimed at Undermining Western Support
The propaganda materials prepared for distribution recycle standard Kremlin talking points, including claims that Ukraine could trigger a third world war and that the European Union and NATO are the actual aggressors in the conflict. These narratives seek to create a false impression of independent domestic pressure within Europe for peace negotiations on Russian terms. The broader strategic objective remains severing the flow of Western arms and financial aid that has strengthened Ukraine’s defensive capabilities and increased the cost of Moscow’s invasion.
Documented Links to Russian Security Services
Ukrainian intelligence has documented repeated instances where Friedensbewegung activists have organised pro-Kremlin rallies in Germany and participated in mass disturbances. The movement’s credibility is further undermined by the presence of ethnic Russians and EU citizens within its ranks who espouse far-right ideologies and maintain established connections with Moscow. A detailed assessment of these activities outlines how the group has effectively become a vehicle for justifying Russian aggression while presenting itself as an independent peace initiative.
European Security Implications
The planned operation highlights ongoing vulnerabilities within European civil society to foreign manipulation. Security analysts argue that countering this threat requires enhanced monitoring of pseudo-pacifist networks that openly support the Kremlin, along with thorough documentation of their funding sources and operational links to Moscow. Existing European legal frameworks contain sufficient instruments to address such interference, though consistent application remains crucial. The incident underscores how historical peace movements can be exploited to destabilise European security coordination at precisely the moments when unified responses are most necessary.
