Russia could target NATO by decade's end, warns German intel chief

Russian forces will be able to attack NATO territory by the end of this decade, said German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) chief Bruno Kahl on Monday.

Kahl participated in a public hearing in the Bundestag, accompanied by the highest-ranking representatives of German intelligence services who discussed Russia's hybrid and covert activities.

"The Kremlin views the West, including Germany, as an enemy," warned Kahl. "Moscow's activities have reached an unprecedented level. Putin will test the West's red lines," the BND chief further stated. He specifically highlighted Russia's readiness to attack NATO countries by the end of the decade.

The head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) also warned of increased Russian activity in Germany. "We observe aggressive actions from Russian intelligence services," said BfV chief Thomas Haldenwang during a public hearing before the Bundestag's Parliamentary Control Commission. "In particular, Russian espionage and sabotage are increasing both qualitatively and quantitatively in Germany," reports "Tagesschau".

Meanwhile, the head of the Federal Office of Military Counterintelligence (MAD), Martina Rosenberg, noted that the number of espionage attempts related to critical infrastructure is "alarmingly" high and requires increased vigilance.

"The Bundeswehr is in the spotlight, whether it's investigating German arms supplies to Ukraine, training programs, or defense projects, or conveying a sense of insecurity through acts of sabotage," she said.