Russian sabotage alarm in Germany: The threat is in the "Bravo" category for the first time

Increasing threats from Russia in Germany caused the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) to update the security situation regarding military units in the country.

According to the news in the German media, in the internal security analysis evaluation report made within the German Armed Forces, it was evaluated for the first time that military units could be the direct target of Russian attacks.

THE “BRAVO” (B) CATEGORY INDICATES THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT TERRORIST THREAT

In this context, in the report, the sabotage threat originating from Russia against the German Armed Forces was upgraded to the "Bravo" (B) category, which indicates that there is a significant terrorist threat for the first time.

The report stated that the threat assessment against the German Armed Forces was made because Russia used unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in hybrid attacks and exceeded the previously determined red line regarding its intention to cause lethal damage to Germany and the German army. It was also stated that Russia was pursuing a destructive strategy aimed at weakening Germany's support for Ukraine politically and socially.

“RUSSIA AIMS TO WEAKING THE COUNTRY'S OWN DEFENSE CAPACITY”

According to the German Armed Forces, Russia aims to disrupt the support provided to Ukraine through equipment and training, thereby weakening the country's own defense capacity. The reason behind the German Armed Forces updating the security assessment of military units is the discovery of an explosive-laden unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at Leipzig Airport in August and the detection of UAV parts around the Wunstorf Military Air Base near Hannover in September.

The report noted that these events show that Russia has the ability to take action against the forces and facilities of the German Armed Forces, as well as its partners such as Ukraine and Germany, and is probably now increasing this intention. "Although the incident at Leipzig Airport is considered an indirect threat to the German Armed Forces, the presence of UAV parts near the Wunstorf Military Base makes it very likely that the German Armed Forces were directly targeted," the report said.

"THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES CURRENTLY FACE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF SABOTAMENT"

"Due to the increased threat level, the German Armed Forces currently face a significant risk of sabotage. Therefore, security measures at German Armed Forces facilities are being intensified," a press spokesman from the German Armed Forces Operational Command told German media, confirming that the threat level had been raised.

WHAT DO ALARM LEVELS MEAN?

The alert level in Germany's military units is defined in 4 categories as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta, as is the case in NATO member countries. While threat levels have a direct impact on the armed forces, the alert level in German army units is raised as the threat level increases.

The alert level Bravo (B), which indicates the new security situation of German military units, indicates that there is an increased and more significant terrorist threat. This envisages tightening security measures and increasing entry and exit controls to military facilities and barracks.

Charlie (C) indicates the high alert level situation declared when intelligence is received that a terrorist act or military attack is very likely to occur.