Germany plans new defense measures against Russian hybrid threats

Germany is planning a broad package of measures to strengthen its defences against drone attacks, cyber intrusions and other forms of Russian sabotage after a failed airport drone attack last month, an interior ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper, which first reported the plans, that Russia’s hybrid attacks had become a part of daily reality.

“These attacks will increase, but we can defend and protect ourselves,” Dobrindt was quoted as saying.

Russia has long rejected allegations it is carrying out operations in western Europe and has denied involvement in the German airport attack, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying the accusations were “the start of a real war”, according to state news agency TASS.

According to the ministry spokesperson, police mobile drone defence capabilities would be expanded under the plan, with rapidly deployable counter-drone units stationed in cities to protect the airspace above critical transport hubs and government districts.