Germany has expelled more than 80 Russian diplomats since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, most of whom, according to BILD, were suspected of working as agents under diplomatic cover.

This primarily concerns staff of the Russian embassy in Berlin.

As Germany’s Foreign Ministry told the publication, the number of personnel at the Russian embassy has “significantly decreased” since the start of the war. The most recent expulsion of a Russian diplomat, according to BILD, took place in January 2026.

In addition, Germany has deported 313 Russian citizens since 2022, the Interior Ministry told the outlet. Thus, over the past few years, about 400 Russian citizens — diplomats and other individuals expelled or deported on various grounds — have left the country.

The largest single expulsion of Russian diplomats took place in April 2022 after the discovery of the mass killings of civilians in Bucha near Kyiv. At that time, Germany declared 40 employees of the Russian diplomatic mission persona non grata.

One of the more recent cases linked to suspicions of Russian intelligence activity was the case of Ilona V. According to BILD, the woman has been suspected of working for a Russian intelligence service since November 2023. After her detention, an alleged employee of the Russian embassy, who is said to have acted as her handler, left Germany.

At the time, Germany’s Foreign Ministry said the authorities would not tolerate espionage on the country’s territory, “especially under the cover of diplomatic status.” The Russian ambassador was informed of the staff member’s expulsion.

According to BILD, Russia currently has three diplomatic missions in Germany: the embassy in Berlin, the consulate general in Bonn, and the honorary consulate in Nuremberg.