Germany prepares comprehensive "protective shield" against Russian sabotage

Following a failed attempt to attack Leipzig/Halle airport with an explosive-laden drone, Germany plans to strengthen protection against Russian sabotage and other hybrid attacks.

Source: German tabloid Bild, as reported by European Pravda

Details: German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is planning a package of measures covering protection against drones and sabotage targeting critical infrastructure and cyberattacks, as well as the detection of spies and potential terrorists.

"Russia's hybrid attacks using explosive-laden drones targeting airports, agents in our cities, cyberattacks on our networks and sabotage of our infrastructure are a daily reality. These attacks will intensify, but we can fight back and protect ourselves," Dobrindt said.

According to Bild, Germany plans to expand the Federal Police's mobile anti-drone unit.

The new units, which can be rapidly deployed to different areas, will have helicopters and special vehicles. They will be stationed in nine strategically important cities: Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Leipzig, Hanover and Cologne.

Their task will be to protect the airspace above key transport hubs, airports, railway stations and the government district in Berlin. This will involve not only detecting and intercepting drones, but also disabling explosive-laden UAVs.

Another proposal involves expanding the powers of companies operating critical infrastructure. Water utilities, energy companies and defence industry facilities could be given legal powers not only to detect drones but also to actively counter them. This should allow them to respond more quickly to attacks on critical infrastructure facilities without waiting for state forces to arrive.

The plan also envisages wider use of AI, biometric facial recognition and video surveillance systems, particularly at railway stations. AI would help automatically detect weapons and suspicious behaviour, as well as identify people suspected of preparing attacks or engaging in espionage.

Another area is protection against cyberattacks. The plan calls for the creation of a national Cyberdome – an extensive network of digital sensors designed to detect and block attempted hacker attacks.

Background: On 1 September, Germany directly accused Russia of a hybrid attack at Leipzig airport in early August and announced countermeasures.

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