NATO base in Germany heightens security amid Russian sabotage suspicion

Security at a NATO air force base in the western town of Geilenkirchen was temporarily increased last week following intelligence suggesting a potential Russian sabotage plot, according to a press report on Monday.

The German Press Agency (dpa) cited sources within German security circles, which revealed that foreign intelligence services had provided “serious indications” of preparatory actions for a likely Russian sabotage effort at the NATO base. The alleged plot reportedly involved the use of a drone to target the site.

In response to the intelligence, the NATO base in North Rhine-Westphalia operated under the second-highest security level, known as Charlie, for nearly 24 hours. This security level indicates that a terrorist action is likely or that an incident has already occurred. Non-essential personnel were sent home as part of the precautionary measures. However, by Friday afternoon, security was reduced to Bravo+, as no immediate threat materialized.

The NATO base in Geilenkirchen serves as a critical hub for Awacs special aircraft, which are used to monitor airspace in the eastern alliance area. The planes, known for their mushroom-shaped radar structures, are capable of detecting aircraft up to 400 kilometers away. According to an unnamed NATO spokesperson, approximately 1,600 personnel typically work at the base, though many are currently deployed to airports in Türkiye and Norway as part of a long-planned operational pause at Geilenkirchen.

German Defense Ministry spokesman Arne Collatz declined to comment on the reports regarding the potential Russian attack. He confirmed, however, that no drones had been detected over the airbase during the heightened alert.

The recent security measures come amid broader concerns over Russian sabotage efforts in Europe. In July, US military bases in Germany and other European countries were also placed under heightened alert due to terrorism threats. At the time, the Pentagon raised the security level at these bases to Charlie, though the nature of the threat was unclear.

German intelligence warns of Russian sabotage in Europe

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, has warned of increased Russian sabotage activities in Europe. A recent security note from the agency indicated that Russian intelligence services have been targeting employees of German companies through social media in an effort to identify individuals who may be vulnerable to influence.

“The extent of Russian acts of sabotage in Europe depends on the development of the situation in the Ukraine war and on the conflict between Russia and the West,” the German Press Agency reported. German authorities have also observed an uptick in cyberattacks by pro-Russian hackers targeting websites of government agencies and companies, though the impact of these attacks has generally been temporary.

Meanwhile, other European countries have reported several incidents of arson, vandalism, and propaganda activities linked to pro-Russian elements. Investigations into these incidents are ongoing.

Last month, US intelligence agencies uncovered a Russian government plot to assassinate the CEO of a prominent German arms manufacturer involved in supplying artillery shells and military vehicles to Ukraine, highlighting the continued risk posed by Russian state-sponsored actions across Europe.