Russian sabotage threat in Germany sparks aviation fears
According to German counterintelligence, Russia was most likely behind the incident involving an aircraft shipment equipped with an igniter. "Had the fire occurred during the flight, it would have led to a disaster," said the head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Experts believe that such acts of sabotage, orchestrated by the Kremlin, are likely to become more frequent.
4:13 PM EDT, October 15, 2024
"Only due to a fortunate coincidence and flight delays, the package caused a fire in the courier company's warehouse and not on the plane," explained the president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), Thomas Haldenwang, before the Bundestag committee. "If the fire had occurred during the flight, it would have led to an aviation disaster," he added.
The incident took place in July when a package sent from the Baltic countries, intended to be redirected in Leipzig onto a plane, caught fire in the warehouse. Haldenwang did not specify whether it was a cargo or passenger plane.
Russia increases espionage activities
In August, the BfV warned of "unconventional incendiary devices" sent by unknown perpetrators via courier companies.
The head of the BfV, quoted by the newspaper "Financial Times," emphasized that Russia is increasing its espionage activities and acts of sabotage in Germany. These actions pose a threat to life. "We are witnessing aggressive behavior by Russian intelligence services, visible in every area of our free society," he said.
Putin will test the West. More acts of sabotage
Bruno Kahl, director of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), assessed that the activity of Russian agents has reached an "unprecedented level." According to him, Putin will likely "test the West's red lines."
Martina Rosenberg, head of Germany's Military Counterintelligence (MAD), told Bundestag committee members that foreign intelligence services are trying to obtain information about German arms supplies to Ukraine and training projects. She added that Moscow is trying to "create a sense of insecurity through acts of sabotage."
Similar warnings regarding Russia's activities in Europe have been issued by other Western intelligence agencies. Last week, Ken McCallum, director general of MI5, highlighted the "enormous increase" in destabilizing efforts by Russian military intelligence (GRU) in Europe.
He noted that agents are acting independently and by hiring criminals to carry out arson, acts of sabotage, and surveillance of military facilities, as well as attacks on representatives of the Russian opposition living in Europe.
