Germany Raises Internal Russian Sabotage Threat to 'Significant'

Overview

• The Bundeswehr confirmed on Wednesday that it has upgraded its internal sabotage assessment to the second-highest level, calling the risk from Russian-linked sabotage 'significant'.
• The reassessment was driven in part by the mid-September discovery of a crashed drone carrying a tin of high explosives near Wunstorf air base that investigators believe was aimed at military aircraft.
• Internal documents cite a pattern of suspicious activity across Germany, including drone overflights of the Arrow 3 missile defence site and a camouflaged camera filming the strategic Minden railway station.
• Defence officials say site-specific preventive steps are being stepped up, such as more guard patrols, infrared cameras and fence monitoring, while investigations into the incidents continue.
• Senior politicians have warned of a 'shadow war' and urged expanded intelligence powers as Russia denies responsibility and services warn more actions are likely in the near term.