Russia's hybrid warfare stirs unease in Germany's heartland

Russia is conducting a hybrid war against Germany, and some Germans feel a closer connection with Russia than with the West, as reported by the German press.

Heads of the German intelligence services spoke on Monday, October 14, at 11 AM Eastern Time in the Bundestag about threats to Germany from Russia, highlighting sabotage and hacker attacks. "Russia is arming intensively and could be able to 'launch an attack on NATO by 2030,'" said the president of the Federal Intelligence Service, Bruno Kahl. The heads of the services called for additional powers.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung notes that Putin has long been waging a hybrid war against Germany and that Germany, which provides the largest support (in Europe - ed.) to Ukraine, is perceived as an enemy—and treated as such.

"This requires a response. It is about protecting one's own country. Anyone who attacks Germany, especially because it simply helps an invaded state, must receive an answer. But so far, the will and tools for this are lacking. (...) For Germany, this means that assurances that the armed forces and intelligence services are important are not enough," it reads. Meanwhile, "the services' powers have been limited—despite various threats. (...) There is no reason to panic. The government and parliament only need to do their homework," emphasizes FAZ.

According to the Allgemeine Zeitung, one can only hope that Germany is no longer so "naïve"—in line with what the intelligence chiefs suggest. "In any case, Germany has certainly not yet found satisfactory answers to all the questions that arise. A specific example: What would happen if a plane carrying explosives crashed—with casualties on board and the ground? Would legal measures be sufficient? When does a situation occur where a country must defend itself against a hybrid threat caused by the Kremlin's insidious methods—and when is it a breach of NATO security? Where is the line between intelligence and military means? The dilemma is as follows: At some point, Germany will have to respond to a threat that is approaching in disguise openly. Regardless of the reaction, this can only be communicated when the population is prepared," warns the Mainz newspaper.

Rhein-Zeitung from Koblenz comments: "The Kremlin is Germany's opponent, ready to go to extremes. Several conclusions must be drawn: Politicians must accept this new reality and raise protection standards at all levels because there are still too many gaps in the protective shield against Russian attacks. They must be filled as quickly as possible, although ideological and bureaucratic obstacles have too often stood in the way. But also, in society and companies, awareness must quickly mature that Vladimir Putin's Russia means nothing good for Germany. The danger of Russian attacks is real, continues to grow, and has become a direct threat to people in Germany."

Straubinger Tagblatt writes: "We must face the bitter truth: Russia is waging a hybrid war against Germany and testing its boundaries. Germany is a valuable target for Russian special services. Many people from Russia and the former Soviet Union live in Germany. In particular, many Germans in the eastern states feel a stronger bond with Russia than with the West and NATO. This makes it easier for Putin's agents to find supporters in Germany."