Germany finds itself at the center of a direct confrontation with Russia as bilateral tensions enter a dangerous new phase, according to assessments delivered by German intelligence chiefs during parliamentary hearings. Officials warned that Moscow is waging a shadow war characterized by sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation, and espionage.
Federal Intelligence Service (BND) President Martin Jäger stated during hearings of the Bundestag parliamentary committee for the control of intelligence services (Parliamentary Control Committee (PKGr)) that Today no other state poses such a direct, comprehensive and concrete threat to Germany as Russia, – Jäger insists. – And there is a danger that Germany could find itself drawn into an armed conflict with Russia
. Jäger added that the confrontation has acquired a new, more dangerous character
, noting that Moscow views Berlin as a primary obstacle to its geopolitical ambitions due to Germany’s extensive support for Ukraine.
Russian Hybrid Threats Target NATO Territory
While intelligence heads noted that direct preparations for a military invasion of NATO territory are not currently observed, they emphasized that hybrid threats are already a reality. Sinan Selen, head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), stated that What is considered a potential threat in military scenarios for 2029 has already become reality in the world of intelligence
.
Selen pointed to clear signs of Russian involvement in the attempted sabotage, which officials noted could have resulted in casualties.
German Response Measures
In response to ongoing hybrid attacks and infrastructure threats, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Berlin has implemented strict countermeasures. Speaking in Kyiv alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Merz stated that Germany closed the Russian consulate in Bonn and the “Russian House” in Berlin, expelled a significant number of Russian citizens, and intensified controls on others (Uatv). We are not waiting and we are not hesitating. We are acting to defend ourselves
, Merz said, adding that the measures also target the Russian shadow fleet and that Berlin has informed NATO and the European Commission.
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