Suspected Russian agents disguised as climate activists have been accused of vandalising cars in Germany to influence the outcome of the country’s forthcoming election.

The men, so-called disposable agents, sprayed expanding foam into the exhaust pipes of hundreds of cars and left pro-Green party leaflets nearby, the political magazine Der Spiegel reported.

The plot initially had success, with the country’s tabloid media picking up the story of “climate radicals” sabotaging people’s vehicles.

However, a chance vehicle control outside Berlin airport led police to the group in December.