Bundeswehr raises threat level of Russian sabotage in Germany
The German armed forces for the first time assessed the threat of Russian sabotage against their own military facilities and personnel as significant. This is the second highest level in the Bundeswehr's threat assessment system. The German military command also warns of a possible worsening of the situation in the near future.
This is reported by Tagesschau with reference to a joint investigation by WDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung. Journalists obtained access to an internal security situation assessment prepared by the German military.
According to the document, the Bundeswehr for the first time admits that Russian sabotage operations may be directed directly against German troops on the country's territory. Previously, the main attention was paid to threats to facilities related to the training of Ukrainian servicemen and individual military bases.
Now the German command believes that potential sabotage targets are not limited to specific regions or military facilities.
The internal assessment is based, among other things, on the investigation of two incidents with drones that could have been used for attacks on military aviation.
Explosive drones near military facilities
The first incident took place in early August at Leipzig/Halle Airport. A drone with explosives was discovered there, which, according to German law enforcement, was intended for an attack on Ukrainian cargo aircraft.
The sabotage attempt was thwarted. German authorities later stated that investigation results and intelligence data point to the involvement of Russian state structures.
Another drone was accidentally found by a farmer in mid-September near the Wunstorf military airbase in Lower Saxony. Its design resembled the drone used in Leipzig.
During further examination of the area, law enforcement discovered a container with a powerful explosive substance not far from the debris. According to technical analysis by the German Federal Criminal Police Office, the drone could have been at this location for about two years.
Investigators assume that its possible target was Bundeswehr aircraft, not civilian aviation. The Wunstorf airbase hosts Airbus A400M military transport aircraft, which play an important role in transporting military cargo.
It was new information about this incident that became one of the factors in the revision of the threat assessment by the German military.
Bundeswehr warns of threat to support for Ukraine
In an internal document, German military note that Russia, in their assessment, already has capabilities for conducting sabotage against German units and facilities. At the same time, intelligence believes that Moscow may have increased intentions to carry out such operations.
Among potential targets are named not only the Bundeswehr, but also Germany's partners, in particular Ukraine, who are on German territory.
According to the document's authors, the strategic goal of Russian actions may be to weaken political and public support for Ukraine in Germany.
At a practical level, it concerns possible attempts to hinder the supply of military equipment and the training of Ukrainian servicemen. Such actions may be aimed at reducing Ukraine's defense capability.
German military also warn that the threat of sabotage is no longer limited to individual training centers, naval bases, or defense sector enterprises.
Bundeswehr increases protection of military infrastructure
The internal analysis states that further deterioration of the security situation is possible in the near future. The military command does not rule out new sabotage attempts.
A representative of the Bundeswehr operational command confirmed to journalists that due to growing threats, the armed forces are strengthening preventive security measures.
This primarily concerns additional protection of military facilities, infrastructure, and personnel. Specific measures are not disclosed for security reasons.
German law enforcement agencies have also previously investigated cases of suspected surveillance of military facilities and infrastructure. Among them are suspicious drone flights and the discovery of covert surveillance equipment.
At the same time, Russia's involvement in each individual incident has not been definitively established. Moscow has previously denied accusations of organizing sabotage and hybrid attacks in European countries.
Against the backdrop of the full-scale war against Ukraine, Germany remains one of the key suppliers of weapons and military equipment, and also participates in the training of Ukrainian servicemen. Therefore, the security of its military and transport infrastructure matters not only for the Bundeswehr itself, but also for the stability of further support for Ukraine.
