Bundeswehr internal paper: Russian sabotage threat against German forces "considerable"
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An internal Bundeswehr document, obtained by WDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung, classifies the threat of Russian sabotage attacks against German forces in Germany as "considerable" — the second-highest category on the military's assessment scale. The assessment follows recent drone discoveries: an explosive-laden drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in early August, and a similar drone found near a key air base in Wunstorf, apparently prepared with explosives and likely intended against Bundeswehr aircraft. The paper states Russia "almost certainly" has the capability and "very likely" now the increased intent to act against Bundeswehr forces and facilities, as well as partners like Ukraine, in Germany. The goal is assessed as "very likely a subversion intent" focused on weakening political and societal support for Ukraine. Moscow has crossed a previously anticipated red line by using drones as kinetic weapons, the document says. Intelligence services expect a "short-term worsening of the situation" and actions in the near future. BND chief Martin Jäger spoke in early October of a "violent conflict with Russia."
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Einsatzkräfte suchen ein Feld am Flughafen Leipzig/Halle nach Spuren ab. Quelle: Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance/dpa
An internal document classifies the threat posed by Russian sabotage attacks against the Bundeswehr in Germany as "considerable." The assessment follows recent drone discoveries.
The Bundeswehr is warning of Russian sabotage attacks on German armed forces, according to an internal document obtained by WDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung.
For the first time, the document classifies the threat from Russian sabotage attacks against the Bundeswehr in Germany as "considerable" — the second-highest category on the military's assessment scale.
The measure comes in response to recent drone discoveries in Germany. In early August, an attack involving an explosives-laden drone failed at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
Shortly afterward, a farmer in Wunstorf, near a major Luftwaffe base, accidentally discovered another drone. It resembled the Leipzig aircraft in design and was likely also equipped with explosives. While the Leipzig airport incident was evidently aimed at destroying Ukrainian cargo aircraft, the Wunstorf drone was likely intended for use against Bundeswehr aircraft.
Related coverage:
- Leipziger Flughafen: "Sie werden dafür bezahlen," warns Merz of hybrid attackers — investigators find third drone
Internal Assessment: Russia's Intent and Capability
The Bundeswehr analysis states:
"The incidents underscore that RUS (Russia) has for some time almost certainly possessed the capability, and very probably now also the increased intent, to act against forces and facilities of the BW (Bundeswehr) as well as partners such as UKR (Ukraine) in DEU (Germany)."
The stated objective is "very probably a subversive intent currently focused on the political and societal weakening of DEU support for UKR."
Furthermore, Moscow has crossed "a previously anticipated red line of intent to cause harm with kinetic and/or lethal effect" against Germany and the Bundeswehr by deploying drones as a kinetic weapon, according to the document.
Intelligence Services Expect "Short-Term Escalation"
"While the LEIPZIG incident could still be assessed as an indirect threat to the BW, the WUNSTORF incident very probably indicates direct targeting of the BW as an objective."
Based on intelligence assessments, the document predicts a "short-term escalation of the situation" and that "actions in the near future are to be expected." BND chief Martin Jäger spoke in early October of a "violent conflict with Russia."
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