‘Red Line Crossed’: Germany Raises Russian Sabotage Threat to ‘Significant’ for First Time

Germany’s armed forces have classified the threat of Russian sabotage against its troops and facilities as “significant” for the first time amid rising concerns over Russian hybrid warfare. 

The classification is the second-highest level on the internal threat scale of the Germany’s military, news outlet Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on Wednesday.  

The reclassification was triggered by the discovery in mid-September of a crashed drone carrying high explosives near the Wunstorf air base in Lower Saxony, according to the newspaper, citing an internal military document. 

Germany’s defense ministry spokesperson confirmed the assessment, saying “We are noting that we face a significant sabotage threat overall for the Bundeswehr,” Germany’s armed forces. 

‘Red line’ 

The military report, reviewed by Süddeutsche Zeitung, states that Russia had crossed “a previously anticipated red line of harmful intent involving kinetic and/or lethal effects” against Germany and the Bundeswehr through the use of weaponized drones. 

Last month, Berlin said Russia was responsible for the attempted drone attack at the Leipzig airport in August.  

An explosives-laden drone was discovered near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft used for military supplies at the airport in eastern Germany, a key hub for NATO and Kyiv. 

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According to the German military assessment, investigators believe that while similar drones were used in both the Wunstorf and Leipzig incidents, the Wunstorf drone was aimed at Bundeswehr aircraft, whereas the Leipzig incident targeted civilian cargo aircraft. 

The report also cited a pattern of suspected Russian reconnaissance across Germany, including drone overflights of the Arrow 3 missile defense site in Saxony-Anhalt, as well as a camouflaged camera found filming a strategically important railway station in Minden, Westphalia. 

Intelligence services expect the situation to worsen in the short term, with further actions likely in the near future, the document noted. 

The defense ministry spokesperson said preventive measures were being tailored to individual sites and could range from increased guard patrols to additional technical security such as infrared ⁠cameras and fence surveillance systems. 

Europe has been on high alert in recent weeks following intelligence assessments warning that Russia could test NATO through actions ranging from sabotage, cyberattacks and drone activity to a limited military operation.