Germany reports sabotage attempts on its naval warships

Berlin is reporting that multiple sabotage attempts have targeted its vessels, with Bundeswehr Navy chief Jan Christian Kaack warning that the threat from Russia is growing, n-tv said.  

“Our assessment: we are being tested. They are trying to destabilize our society – both at the national level and within the alliance,” Kaack said at a news conference in Berlin.  

Saboteurs have repeatedly inflicted deliberate damage on German military ships. 

“This wasn’t an isolated incident – there was sabotage on multiple vessels,” he said.  

Berlin has also recorded unauthorized intrusions into naval bases from both land and sea, as well as attempts to approach uniformed soldiers on their way home. Kaack suggested that those behind these incidents are laying the groundwork for more aggressive actions.  

He also addressed an incident involving the Emden corvette in Hamburg, which is supposed to be commissioned by the Bundeswehr. 

In January, inspectors discovered several kilograms of metal shavings in the ship’s power system – a deliberate act of sabotage that could have caused serious damage had it gone unnoticed.  

“The Russian threat at the start of 2025 is significantly greater than it was two years ago. Experts and intelligence agencies believe Russia could actively seek conflict with NATO as early as 2029,” Kaack said.  

In recent weeks, Germany has reported several acts of sabotage linked to Russia, including arson attacks on vehicles allegedly staged under the guise of “ecoactivism,” European Pravda writes.  

“Drones have also been repeatedly spotted over Bundeswehr bases and other military and strategic sites,” journalists add.