Germany Faces Daily Hybrid Warfare Threats Following Suspected Drone Attack
Ongoing Hybrid Warfare and Security Concerns in Germany
Interior Minister Highlights Daily Threats
BERLIN, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Germany faces daily hybrid warfare attacks from abroad, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt was quoted by a local newspaper as saying on Sunday, following a suspected attack attempt involving an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
Dobrindt told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag that foreign powers wanted to subdue Germany politically and socially by stirring up fear. The newspaper Bild said the government planned to boost Germany's anti-drone capacity to meet the threat.
Nature of Hybrid Warfare
"We're not at war, but we are the daily target of hybrid warfare," Dobrindt said. "Espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, or covert operations by foreign powers aimed at destabilising Germany or inflicting direct harm are a constant reality."
He did not identify particular countries.
Suspected Drone Attack and International Reactions
Incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport
After the drone loaded with explosives was discovered at the airport in eastern Germany on Tuesday, some German lawmakers pointed the finger at Russia, which has been at war with Ukraine since its military invasion of the country in 2022.
Russian Response
The Russian embassy in Berlin on Friday dismissed the Leipzig event as a "fabricated provocation", saying it was another example of unsubstantiated accusations against Russia.
Government Response and Anti-Drone Measures
Citing government sources, Bild said Dobrindt's ministry wanted to double Germany's federal team of anti-drone experts to 300 from 150 and its network of related bases to eight from four. The ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Additional Drone Sightings
Germany's armed forces on Saturday said two drones were spotted late on Thursday over a German military base site in Mechernich, in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
European Perspectives on Hybrid Warfare
Serbian President's Comments
Separately, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told a German podcast Russia's "hybrid war" against European powers is "essentially the same as what Europe has done to Russia", arguing Europe had armed Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Russia, as well as given Kyiv financial support.
Clarification on War Responsibility
Still, he told the MD MEETS podcast hosted by Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner that Ukraine had not started the war and that victim and aggressor should not be confused.
Outlook on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
According to the German text of his comments, the Serbian leader said he did not see the war between Russia and Ukraine ending before next spring due to an unwillingness to compromise and noted: "I believe we are at the beginning of a major war."
Diplomatic Engagements
Vucic's comments on the podcast came after he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy this week. He pledged to support Ukraine's independence and improve bilateral economic ties.
(Reporting by Joern PoltzWriting by Dave Graham; Editing by Nia Williams and Aurora Ellis)
