Russian threat to NATO: Espionage fears and military readiness
Russian forces may be capable of attacking NATO territory as early as the end of this decade, said Bruno Kahl, chief of the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND), on Monday.
Kahl participated in a public hearing in the Bundestag, during which the highest-ranking representatives of German intelligence services discussed Russia's hybrid and covert activities.
- The Kremlin considers the West, and therefore Germany, as an adversary - warned Kahl. - Moscow's actions have reached an unprecedented level. Putin will test the West's limits - the BND chief further stated. He specified that Russia might be ready to attack NATO countries by the end of the decade.
The head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) also cautioned about increased Russian activity in Germany. - We are observing aggressive actions of Russian intelligence services - said BfV chief Thomas Haldenwang during a public hearing before the Bundestag's Parliamentary Control Commission. - In particular, Russian espionage and sabotage are escalating both in quality and quantity in Germany - reports "Tagesschau".
Bundeswehr and supplies to Ukraine in the spotlight
Meanwhile, Martina Rosenberg, head of the Federal Office of Military Counterintelligence (MAD), noted that espionage attempts related to critical infrastructure are "alarmingly" high and require increased vigilance.
- The Bundeswehr is under scrutiny, whether it's about probing German arms supplies to Ukraine, training programs, or defence projects, or creating a sense of insecurity through acts of sabotage, she said.
