Information
Russia is intensifying hybrid attacks on Germany, blending cyberattacks, drone incursions, infrastructure sabotage, and disinformation campaigns to operate in a “grey zone” below the threshold of open war. German security officials note a sharp rise in arson attempts, sanction-evasion schemes, and digital assaults, many carried out by inexpensive, low-level operatives who are often recruited through platforms like Telegram and may not know who ultimately directs them. These covert tactics complicate attribution, making it difficult for authorities to distinguish between foreign aggression, ordinary crime, and aging infrastructure failures. The strategic goal, experts warn, is to undermine Germany’s operational capabilities and sow confusion and uncertainty about when an attack constitutes an act of war.
In response, Germany is strengthening its defensive posture. The Federal Criminal Police Office has expanded its cyber capabilities, asserting it can disrupt large-scale server networks used for attacks, while Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has emphasised a more forceful response, including the ability to “disrupt and destroy” hostile cyber operations. The government has also authorised the Bundeswehr to shoot down drones within Germany and is expanding police drone units. Yet officials caution that the most pervasive threat is Russia’s disinformation efforts, which erode public trust in democratic institutions. Military strategist Sönke Marahrens argues that countering hybrid warfare will require not just security measures but broader societal resilience.
Source: DW
So What
While Germany is unlikely to eliminate the threat entirely, strengthening interagency coordination among military, intelligence, and law enforcement bodies could significantly reduce the effectiveness of hybrid attacks by improving information sharing, accelerating response times, and enabling a more unified strategy against both physical and digital intrusions.
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