Internal situation assessment - Bundeswehr warns of Russian attacks

Exclusive Internal situation assessment Bundeswehr warns of Russian attacks As of: October 21, 2026 • 6:00 a.m

The Bundeswehr warns of possible Russian sabotage attacks on its own troops in Germany - this emerges from an internal situation assessment available to WDR and SZ. The paper classified the threat as “significant” for the first time.

The accidental discovery of a farmer in Lower Saxony caused the Bundeswehr to reassess the security situation: in mid-September, an apparently crashed drone was discovered not far from the Wunstorf air base. Its design is similar to the drone equipped with explosives that was used in the failed attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport at the beginning of August.

The Wunstorf drone was also carrying a can of high explosive; it was discovered just a few meters away from the aircraft. The difference: Wunstorf's drone had probably been near the Bundeswehr base for two years. This is what the technical analyzes by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) are said to have revealed. And the investigators assume that - unlike in Leipzig - the aim was not to attack civilian cargo planes, but possibly Bundeswehr aircraft.

After research by NDR, WDR and SZ, investigators discovered a suspicious substance near the crashed drone. more

This finding is now apparently leading to a new assessment of the threat situation: WDR and SZ have an internal security analysis of the Bundeswehr. For the first time, the threat of Russian sabotage against the Bundeswehr is rated as “significant,” the second highest level on the rating scale. For the first time, the Bundeswehr is now assuming that it could become the target of Russian attacks in this country.

The paper states, with reference to the drone discoveries in Leipzig and Wunstorf: "The incidents underline that RUS (Russia) has almost certainly had the ability and very probably now also the increased intention to act against forces and facilities of the BW (Bundeswehr) but also partners such as the UKR (Ukraine) in DEU (Germany) for some time."

With the use of drones “as a kinetic means of action,” Russia has “crossed a previously anticipated red line of intent to cause damage with kinetic and/or lethal effects” against Germany and the Bundeswehr, according to the risk assessment. This refers to the use of a drone as a weapon, even with potentially deadly effects. "While the LEIPZIG incident could still be assessed as an indirect threat to the BW, the WUNSTORF incident can very likely be assumed to have directly affected the BW as a target."

Strategically, Russia is "very likely pursuing an intention to disintegrate, which is currently focused on the political and social weakening of the DEU's support for the UKR," according to the Bundeswehr's analysis. Operationally, Russia's goal is to damage any support to Ukraine "in the form of equipment and training" and thus "damage the defense capability of the UKR itself."

A year ago, dangerous material was discovered in the engine of the warship "Emden". more

So far, the Bundeswehr's security experts have assumed that there is an increased risk of sabotage, particularly at those locations where Ukrainian soldiers are trained and at naval bases and shipyards where the Navy's warships are berthed. There have been several incidents there in recent years that were viewed as sabotage.

However, it is now said that the danger from Russian sabotage can no longer be limited locally. According to the Bundeswehr's forecast, based on the intelligence services' assessments, a "short-term worsening of the situation can be expected and actions can be expected in the near future."

There have been several incidents nationwide in recent years involving suspected spying on military properties and infrastructure. And in which the security authorities suspect a Russian background. These include several suspicious drone overflights, most recently over the site of the new Arrow 3 missile defense system in Saxony-Anhalt. Or over the Bundeswehr base in Mechernich in North Rhine-Westphalia. There is a specially protected material storage facility for the German armed forces as well as the maintenance and repair unit for the "Patriot" air defense system.

The authorities are concerned about the discovery of a camera at the train station in Minden. more

In Minden in East Westphalia, a camera was discovered on a pole in a parking lot filming a train station last year. The camera had night vision capability, could transmit a live stream using a SIM card and was apparently camouflaged with a Deutsche Bahn sticker. Minden train station plays an important role in the Bundeswehr's plans for the relocation of troops. The German-British Pioneer Bridge Battalion 130, a specialized unit that is unique in NATO, is also stationed nearby.

After the camera was accidentally found in Minden, the police were able to identify a suspect: a Lithuanian driver whose apartment was searched in April. The public prosecutor's office had several data carriers confiscated, the evaluation of which is still ongoing. Russia has always denied involvement in sabotage and hybrid attacks.

When asked, a spokesman for the Bundeswehr's operational command explained: "Due to the increased threat situation, the Bundeswehr is currently assuming a significant risk of sabotage." That is why the Bundeswehr is currently strengthening its security measures at its locations to protect its own facilities and personnel.

This topic in the program: tagesschau.de | Internal situation assessment - Bundeswehr warns of Russian attacks | Oct 21, 2026 | 06:00 am