Germany raises Russian sabotage threat to second-highest level for first time
Germany's armed forces have classified the threat of Russian sabotage against Bundeswehr personnel and facilities as "significant" for the first time, placing it at the second-highest level on their internal threat scale, Reuters reported on October 21.
A German Defense Ministry spokesperson confirmed the assessment, saying the Bundeswehr faced a significant overall sabotage threat.
The reassessment followed the discovery of a crashed drone carrying explosives near Wunstorf air base in Lower Saxony in mid-September, according to an internal military document reported by WDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Investigators believe the drone may have targeted Bundeswehr aircraft. It resembled a drone used in a failed attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August, for which Germany has blamed Russia. Moscow denies involvement.
The internal assessment says Russia has crossed a previously anticipated "red line" by using weaponized drones capable of causing physical damage or fatalities against targets in Germany.
It also cites suspected Russian reconnaissance activity, including drone flights over an Arrow 3 missile defense installation in Saxony-Anhalt and a concealed camera monitoring a strategically important railway station in Minden.
German intelligence services expect the threat to worsen in the near term, with further hostile actions considered likely, according to the report.
The Defense Ministry said it was strengthening security measures at individual sites, including additional patrols, infrared cameras and perimeter surveillance.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday that Russian disinformation and hybrid attacks posed Germany's greatest threat, warning that the public continued to underestimate their danger.