Germany spy chief warns of escalating Russia shadow war

Germany's foreign intelligence chief warned Monday that Russia's undeclared “shadow war” against Germany and its allies was escalating and had taken on a more dangerous character.

Martin Jaeger, head of Germany's BND spy service, told lawmakers at a hearing of parliament's intelligence oversight committee in Berlin that Germany risked being drawn into a violent conflict with Russia.

“No other country currently poses such a direct, comprehensive, and concrete threat to Germany,” Jaeger said.

Jaeger cited an attempted attack at Leipzig airport in August with an explosives-laden drone, in which he said Russian agents are the prime suspects.

Germany has repeatedly accused Russia of waging a hybrid campaign of espionage, sabotage and other disruption. Moscow has denied the accusations.

Jaeger said the BND saw “no indication” of plans for a major Russian military attack on a NATO member, but warned that low-level Russian military activities could occur, particularly in the Baltic states.

Sinan Selen, head of Germany's BfV domestic intelligence agency, said Russian operations extended beyond classic espionage to “sabotage and assassinations”. He said the defence industry and military infrastructure were targets.

Germany has invested record sums in rebuilding its military and is among the largest supporters of Ukraine in its war with Moscow. Chancellor Friedrich Merz made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Sunday, where he offered further military aid to Ukraine and said Germany would keep supporting the country.