Overview

• Ralph Tiesler, head of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, has warned that Germany must prepare for a possible Russian attack within four years.
• Of about 2,000 Cold War-era bunkers and protection rooms across the country, only roughly 580 are operational, providing space for about 480,000 people.
• Authorities plan to rapidly convert existing tunnels, metro stations, underground garages and public building basements into shelters to accommodate up to 1 million residents.
• Tiesler estimated that at least €10 billion will be needed over the next four years to upgrade shelter infrastructure, information systems and warning sirens.
• The Federal Office of Civil Protection intends to present a comprehensive civil defense plan outlining infrastructure upgrades and funding requirements later this summer.