“Every power plant possible target”
Bundeswehr general expects an increase in attacks
10/09/2022 02:56 am
“War in Europe is possible again,” says Bundeswehr General Breuer. But the Germans did not necessarily have to fear invading armies. There is danger from hybrid threats. And everyone should be prepared for that.
Bundeswehr General Carsten Breuer warns of increasing attacks on the infrastructure in Germany. “Every substation, every power plant, every pipeline can be attacked, can be a possible target,” the commander of the Bundeswehr’s Territorial Command told the “Bild am Sonntag”. “Here in the command, we are primarily prepared for hybrid threats. That is the situation between no longer completely peace, but not yet really war.”
The background is Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the new security situation in Europe. “Russia’s war has meant that our focus is once again on national and collective defense. It has become clear to the whole country that war in Europe is possible again.”
Attacks and influence from abroad could increase. “This is not about an enemy army with soldiers and tanks attacking our country,” emphasized Breuer. “But there are influence measures, with attacks on infrastructure and cyber attacks, or, for example, reconnaissance flights with drones over barracks. In other words, pinpricks that are intended to stir up uncertainty among the population and shake confidence in our state.” The security authorities would have to adjust to this threat situation, Breuer told the newspaper.
He warned against underestimating the nuclear threats from Russia. “Our way of life, our values, our entire society are threatened,” said the general. “Unless we want to give up all that, we have to take these threats very seriously.” Hysteria is a bad guide,” the Bundeswehr general pointed out. However, every citizen should be aware “that they should change their individual behavior” – this includes, for example, the mental attitude or even buying a flashlight and a radio enough batteries for the home, i.e. independent of the power supply from the socket.