German military warns of 'significant' Russian sabotage risk at bases nationwide

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - Germany's armed forces have warned that Russia could carry out sabotage attacks against military personnel and bases across the country, public broadcaster WDR reported Wednesday.

According to a classified internal assessment cited by WDR, German intelligence services expect the threat to escalate in the short term and anticipate possible sabotage operations in the near future.

The assessment warns that the risk is no longer confined to specific locations, including facilities where Ukrainian troops receive training.

The classified document, also reported by the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, rates the threat of Russian sabotage against the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces, as "significant" for the first time.

The rating represents the second-highest threat level on the military's assessment scale, according to the reports.

Previously, military experts had concentrated their concerns on facilities used to train Ukrainian soldiers, as well as naval bases and shipyards.

The latest assessment warns that the threat can no longer be limited geographically.

The warning follows several drone-related incidents and suspected attacks in Germany.

In early August, a drone carrying explosives was used in a failed attack targeting a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig airport, according to the report.

In mid-September, a farmer discovered a similar crashed drone near the Bundeswehr air base at Wunstorf in northern Germany.

A spokesman for the Bundeswehr's Operational Command confirmed that the military was introducing additional security measures in response to heightened risks.

"Due to the increased threat situation, the Bundeswehr currently assumes a significant sabotage risk," the spokesman said.

He said the armed forces were strengthening protective measures at their installations.

Russia has consistently denied involvement in sabotage operations or hybrid attacks.

Ayhan Şimşek