Germany faces 'shadow war' that goes beyond Cold War threats, minister warns

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned that Germany faces a "shadow war" involving sabotage, cyberattacks, and assassination plots, extending beyond Cold War threats. He spoke at a BfV press conference, calling for stronger domestic intelligence powers. The warning follows months of Western alerts about Russian hybrid attacks across Europe, which Moscow denies.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned on Monday that Germany faces a "shadow war" more far-reaching than the Cold War, involving sabotage, cyberattacks, and assassination plots. Speaking at a press conference by the BfV domestic intelligence agency in Berlin, Dobrindt said the threat underscores the need to strengthen Germany's intelligence capabilities. "The shadow war we are witnessing today has an objective that extends far beyond anything seen during the Cold War," Dobrindt said, without directly naming Russia. His comments echo warnings by Germany's BND foreign intelligence chief this month that Germany risks a violent conflict with Moscow. The Czech Republic's security service said Russia could resort to riskier operations in NATO states supporting Ukraine within months. The BfV president, Sinan Selen, said Russia employs virtually every hybrid tool, from disinformation and sabotage to assassination plots prepared in Germany. A failed attack involving an explosives-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August, blamed on Russia, has driven calls to expand intelligence powers. A government reform bill to give intelligence services broader powers, including active defensive measures, is under parliamentary review. Russia dismisses the accusations as baseless and anti-Russian hysteria.