In the context of World War I, the Germans aimed to weaken Russia by infiltrating its political landscape. They targeted revolutionaries and Liberals among the captured Russian soldiers, recognizing their potential to incite unrest at home. This strategy involved providing these individuals with financial support and forged documents, facilitating their return to Russia.
By assisting these revolutionists, the Germans hoped to ignite a revolutionary movement that would destabilize the Russian government. This approach highlights an early example of using propaganda and subversion as tools of warfare, illustrating how nations sought to manipulate their enemies' internal conflicts to gain an advantage in the larger war effort.