Mysterious drones over German base raise espionage concerns
Recently, the German armed forces have encountered an unusual problem. Mysterious drones are increasingly appearing over a military base in the wooded area of eastern Germany, where Ukrainian soldiers are being trained. This situation presents new challenges for the Bundeswehr regarding security and information protection.
At the military base situated in the forests of eastern Germany, hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers regularly participate in six-week combat courses. Recently, drones of unknown origin have begun to appear regularly over this area, causing concern.
Lieutenant Colonel Roland Bösker of the Bundeswehr acknowledges that some drones may have unfriendly intentions. Instead of attempting to eliminate them, the German command has used this situation as a training element.
We have incorporated the presence of hostile drones into the training programme, explains Bösker.
Ukrainian soldiers are now learning how to operate under constant aerial surveillance. This is a crucial skill in the modern battlefield, where drones play an increasingly significant role.
Espionage threat
There are suspicions that the Russian intelligence service may be behind the drone flights. There is no doubt that Germany has become a natural target for Russian intelligence activities.
We must assume that there are hundreds of spies in Germany trying to harm our country, warns Konstantin von Notz, chairman of the parliamentary intelligence committee.
Despite the expulsion of around 600 Russian diplomats from European countries since the onset of the war, Russian intelligence services are actively rebuilding their spy networks. They are using both illegally operating agents and recruiting residents, as well as refugees from Ukraine, Belarus, or Russia.
Russia is making every effort to compensate for the reduction of Russian agents in Germany, confirms Thomas Haldenwang, head of the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
The problem is not limited to Germany. Recently, there have been numerous arrests, fires, and acts of sabotage in various European countries, including the United Kingdom, Poland, the Baltic states, and the Czech Republic. This suggests increased activity by Russian intelligence across Europe.
