Stories
Germany at Risk of Violent Conflict With Russia Warns Intelligence Chief
C
CNBC TV18•05-10-2026, 18:52
Germany at Risk of Violent Conflict With Russia Warns Intelligence Chief
- •Martin Jaeger, head of the BND foreign intelligence agency, warned that Germany faces a rising risk of violent conflict as Moscow intensifies an aggressive shadow war against European democracies.
- •German authorities highlighted an attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport in August as a prime example of the real and imminent threat posed by Russian hybrid operations.
- •Jaeger noted that while a large-scale attack on NATO territory is not currently indicated, Russia could launch low-intensity military activities in the Baltic states and increase intimidation tactics.
- •Moscow is reportedly attempting to force Germany to abandon its support for Ukraine, with intelligence predicting severe and brutal Russian attacks this coming winter.
- •German intelligence services may soon receive new powers from parliament to conduct active operations to thwart foreign attacks, shifting from their historically constrained mandates.
Key Questions Answered
Martin Jaeger, head of the Bundesnachrichtendienst, warned that Germany is at risk of entering a violent conflict as Moscow wages an increasingly aggressive shadow war against European democracies, noting that the threat of attacks against targets in Germany remains real and imminent.
German authorities blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport as part of a hybrid campaign of drone and cyber attacks.
Germany's intelligence services are set to receive new powers to carry out active operations to thwart attacks, pending approval of new legislation by parliament.
