By the latest by the end of the decade, Russia will be able to attack the West, German intelligence services warn, and signal increased Russian attempts at destabilization.
German secret services warn of increasing Russian activity in Germany. "We are observing aggressive behavior by Russian intelligence services," said the head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (counterintelligence), Thomas Haldenwang, during a public hearing in the Bundestag's Parliamentary Control Committee. "Russian espionage and sabotage in Germany is increasing - both qualitatively and quantitatively,", he added.
"Only thanks to a lucky coincidence"
In this regard, Haldenwang recalled the incident with the air shipment catching fire at a DHL logistics center in July. It is now clear that Germany narrowly avoided a plane crash then. Just "thanks to a happy coincidence" The shipment caught fire on the ground at DHL's logistics center in Leipzig, not during the flight, Haldenwang explained.
According to the DPA agency, by a happy coincidence, Haldenwang was referring to the fact that the subsequent flight of the cargo shipment was delayed in Leipzig. The shipment contained an incendiary device that ignited and set fire to a cargo container. In security circles, it is assumed that the incident was related to Russian sabotage.
"Russia sees Germany as an enemy"
"The Kremlin sees the West, and therefore Germany, as an enemy," warned Bruno Kahl, head of the German intelligence service BND (foreign intelligence), in turn, referring to the war in Ukraine. According to him, the activity of Moscow has reached an unprecedented level.
"Putin will test the West's red lines," he also said, adding that in terms of personnel and materials, Russia will be able to attack the West by the end of the decade at the latest.
"An alarmingly high number"
Martina Rosenberg, who heads the Federal Office for Military Counterintelligence, pointed out that the number of attempts to spy on the so-called critical infrastructure is alarmingly high and requires increased vigilance. "The Bundeswehr is in the center of attention. "Whether it's German arms supplies to Ukraine, training programs, weapons projects, or simply instilling insecurity through acts of sabotage," she said.
A day earlier, German Interior Minister Nancy Feiser also said that espionage and sabotage by Russia should not be underestimated. There has been a clear increase in such incidents, Feser said, adding: "We see a big threat from Russia.