Germany is facing what Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described as daily “hybrid warfare” from foreign powers, days after an explosive-laden drone was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany.
Dobrindt told Bild am Sonntag that Germany was not at war but remained a daily target of espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks and covert operations intended to destabilise the country or cause direct harm. He did not identify the countries allegedly responsible.
What Germany says it is facing
Dobrindt said foreign powers wanted to subdue Germany politically and socially by spreading fear. His comments described the alleged activity as a constant security reality rather than linking it to one confirmed perpetrator.
The Leipzig/Halle Airport drone was found loaded with explosives on Tuesday. Some German lawmakers blamed Russia, but the Russian embassy in Berlin rejected that claim on Friday, calling the incident a “fabricated provocation” and saying accusations against Moscow were unsubstantiated.
Related coverage: What is known about the latest drone incidents near NATO sites.
Other drone sightings and incidents
Germany’s armed forces said two drones were spotted late on Thursday over a German military base site in Mechernich, in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Separately, a drone exploded on Saturday near Bulgaria’s Trans-Balkan gas pipeline. Bulgaria’s Defence Ministry said there was no reason to suspect the incident was intentional, while Ukraine said it was working with Bulgarian authorities to clarify what happened.
Planned response and wider concern
Germany plans to strengthen its ability to counter drones amid concerns about the threat, according to Bild, which cited government sources. Dobrindt’s ministry reportedly wants to increase the federal government’s anti-drone experts from 150 to 300 and expand the related base network from four to eight.
More context: US Military Strikes Iranian Targets Following Tehran’s Attack on US Forces.
The incidents have renewed concerns that Russia’s war in Ukraine could increasingly affect neighbouring NATO states. NATO and European Union officials have blamed Russia for previous drone sightings, while Russia has rejected those allegations.
Also read: Third US service member identified among those killed in Iranian attack on Jordan base.
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