Berlin has summoned Russia's ambassador over what it said was a huge increase in threatening hybrid activities including disinformation campaigns, espionage, cyberattacks and attempted sabotage, a German foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday

"This morning, we therefore summoned the Russian Ambassador to the Foreign Office and made our position clear. We are monitoring Russia's actions very closely and we are taking action against them," spokesperson Martin Giese said during a regular news conference.

The accusations come at a time of heightened concerns in Europe over suspected Russian hackers and spies since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Russian embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. The Kremlin has previously said European allegations of a Russian sabotage or hybrid campaign are wholly unsubstantiated.

The German government has repeatedly accused Moscow of sweeping cyberattacks.

The spokesperson said further diplomatic and policy measures were to be decided by the government.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. PRESS CONFERENCE
2. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN MARTIN GIESE SAYING:"For some time now, we have been observing a massive increase in threatening hybrid activities by Russia. These range from disinformation campaigns to espionage and cyber attacks to attempts at sabotage."
3. JOURNALISTS LISTENING
4. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN MARTIN GIESE SAYING:"The goal of these Russian cyber and information attacks is clear. It is to divide society, stir up mistrust, provoke rejection and weaken confidence in democratic institutions. This targeted manipulation of information is part of a wide range of activities by Russia aimed at undermining trust in democratic institutions and processes in Germany. Russia is thus posing a very real threat to our security, not only through its war of aggression against Ukraine, but also here in Germany."
5. PRESS CONFERENCE FILMED IN VIEWFINDER
6. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN MARTIN GIESE SAYING:"This morning, we therefore summoned the Russian Ambassador to the Foreign Ministry and made our position clear. We are monitoring Russia's actions very closely and we are taking action against them. Russia's unacceptable behaviour will have consequences. I can tell you today that, in close consultation with our European partners, we are taking a series of counter-measures to show Russia a price for its hybrid actions."
7. PRESS CONFERENCE
8. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN MARTIN GIESE SAYING:"In addition, we support new individual sanctions at European level against hybrid actors, with the consequences of entry bans for individuals, the freezing of assets and a ban on the provision of economic resources. The German Government condemns in the strongest possible terms the repeated and unacceptable attacks by state-controlled Russian actors. We will continue to strengthen our support for Ukraine and our deterrence and defence."
9. PRESS CONFERENCE
10. VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF RUSSIAN EMBASSY