German intelligence head warns of threat of violent conflict with Russia

Martin Jäger, head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service, has stated that he sees the danger of a violent conflict with Russia, noting that the confrontation between the countries has acquired a "new, dangerous quality".

Source: European Pravda, citing Jäger's remarks during a hearing in the Bundestag, quoted by Die Welt

Details: The German intelligence head warned that the war in Ukraine, marked by increasingly brutal Russian attacks, is entering a "new, very dangerous phase", while the threat of hybrid attacks against Germany remains real.

Jäger stated that the risk involves Germany being dragged into a conflict with Russia.

The intelligence head emphasised that Russia is visibly escalating the conflict in Ukraine and continues to step up pressure on Europe and Germany. The confrontation Germany is in with Russia has taken on a new, more dangerous character. The country risks being drawn into a violent conflict with Russia.

As an example of this escalation, he cited the attempted attack on Leipzig Airport, responsibility for which Berlin attributed to Russia.

Jäger noted that no other country currently poses such a direct, comprehensive and concrete threat to Germany. Germany did not seek this confrontation. Russia is imposing it on the country, seeing it as its main adversary because Germany does not tolerate Russia's revisionist, expansionist policy and its war of aggression against Ukraine.

According to Jäger, the Russian leadership seeks to "ensure for the future that no political decisions directed against Moscow are made in Berlin or other European capitals". The consequence of this is "increasingly aggressive actions by Russian intelligence services" against Germany and other states.

Jäger stated that Russia is waging a shadow war against Germany. This undeclared war cannot be characterised using traditional military or legal categories. Germany is not in a state of defence, yet they are still under attack – that is precisely what a shadow war is.

The intelligence head added that Russia sought to undermine Europe's political support for Ukraine and emphasised that they had to be prepared for intimidation attempts and further interference. He noted that nuclear threats would likely be voiced again.

However, according to Jäger, at this time the intelligence agency sees no signs of a large-scale Russian attack on NATO territory. Nevertheless, "Russian military actions on a limited scale" are possible, particularly in the Baltic states, specified the head of German intelligence.

Background:

• Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz declared that his country is "preparing for major hybrid attacks, including severe ones" and will respond to them "swiftly and very clearly".
• German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt planned 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.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!