Report: German military rates threat of Russian sabotage as 'significant' for first time
An internal Bundeswehr paper warns of Russian attacks on troops, WDR and SZ report. A drone found near Wunstorf air base was likely aimed at German military aircraft.
Archive image · Photo: Raboe001 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de (cropped and resized)
Germany's armed forces for the first time rate the threat of Russian sabotage against their troops in the country as "significant," the second-highest level on their scale, broadcaster WDR and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported, citing an internal situation assessment. According to the reports, the paper says Russia almost certainly has the capability for such attacks and very likely now also the intent. The main aim is said to be weakening Germany's political and public support for Ukraine.
The assessment follows two drone discoveries. In early August, an explosives-laden drone was found at Leipzig/Halle Airport that, according to the reports, was probably meant to hit Ukrainian cargo planes. In mid-September, a farmer found a drone of similar design near the Wunstorf air base in Lower Saxony. Technical analysis by the Federal Criminal Police Office suggests it had probably been lying there for about two years, and investigators believe it was intended for use against Bundeswehr aircraft, the reports said.
The paper describes Leipzig as an indirect threat to the military but Wunstorf as very likely a direct one. It says the use of drones with kinetic effect crossed a previously anticipated red line of intent to cause harm with kinetic or lethal effect, according to the reports. The paper expects the situation to worsen in the short term, with actions likely in the near future. There was no immediate official comment from the Bundeswehr or the federal government on the classified document.