It notes that, together with "espionage activities", Russia is attempting to "influence political and public opinion in Germany" in the interests of Moscow.
“Russian services — not necessarily intelligence agencies — are trying to influence, with the help of propaganda and other measures of influence, namely to misinform various target groups,” the document says.
It states that they "seek to influence the population of Germany in favor of Russia."
“Of particular importance are the media located in Germany but controlled by the Russian state. At the same time, the RT Deutsch internet channel and the Sputnik news agency play a central role, ”the document says.
The report released in Germany last year also contained allegations that Russia was trying to influence public opinion in Germany, and RT Deutsch and Sputnik were the main instruments of influence.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, commenting on the findings of the report, said that in Germany there are forces that fuel an atmosphere of hostility and "toxicity" around the Russian media.
He noted that the Russian media in Germany carry out their activities in strict accordance with German law and high journalistic standards.
In turn, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, noted that Moscow perceives the situation around the Russian media in Germany, including around RT and Sputnik, as discrimination.