Germany records 165 suspected sabotage cases and more than 1,000 suspicious drones in 2026
German authorities have recorded 165 suspected cases of sabotage since the beginning of 2026, while more than 1,000 suspicious drones have been spotted near critical infrastructure, military facilities and defense companies, according to an internal police assessment.
The figures come from an internal analysis by Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) obtained by Süddeutsche Zeitung, NDR and WDR.
The suspected sabotage cases include manipulated power lines and railway infrastructure as well as planned arson attacks, Süddeutsche Zeitung reported.
German security authorities also recorded 747 incidents involving a total of 1,068 suspicious drones between January and the end of August. Identifying the people operating the aircraft remains difficult.
Authorities have separately recorded 112 offenses related to suspected espionage this year. More than 60 involved unauthorized photography or filming of military facilities or weapons, while investigators suspect espionage intended to facilitate sabotage in another 26 cases.
Federal prosecutors and specialized state prosecutors have opened 24 espionage investigations this year, including 12 involving cyberespionage. Another 40 preliminary espionage investigations are underway.
According to the report, German security agencies suspect Russia of being behind many of the incidents. Germany’s domestic intelligence service assesses that Russian activity is primarily directed at military facilities and critical infrastructure, including energy and transportation systems.
In one case, a Moldovan national was arrested in Bavaria in July on suspicion of using a drone to spy on defense company KNDS. Investigators believe he was acting on behalf of Russia.
The BKA assessment, titled “Situation Update: Hybrid Threats,” also describes an incident at a natural gas processing plant in Lower Saxony in early August. After a security guard approached two people dressed in dark clothing near the facility, the suspects allegedly assaulted him and fled.