Bundeswehr: Sabotage alarm in the Bundeswehr: Abnormal water values

Police and state security are investigating a security incident at the waterworks of the Cologne-Wahn air force barracks on suspicion of an act of sabotage directed against the German army. During the incident, “abnormal water values” and then a hole in the fence were discovered, said a spokesman for the German army in Cologne in front of the barracks.

The military area was then cordoned off for hours. Police authorities, military police (“military police”) and the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) were on site. After investigating, the Bundeswehr did not confirm reports that there were cases of illness among the soldiers.

The barracks were not allowed to be entered or left for several hours, but were then reopened. Several departments are located in Cologne-Wahn. The Bundeswehr’s air force – responsible for trips by the Federal President and Chancellor, cabinet members and high-ranking government officials – is also based there.

Experts have long warned against actions against the military and infrastructure

Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the security situation in Europe as a whole has been reassessed. Security experts have repeatedly warned that military infrastructure could also be the target of spying or sabotage attempts.

The German army spoke of an “incident” that the operations department became aware of due to abnormal water values. Then the hole in the fence leading to the barracks’ waterworks was discovered. Investigations into the changed water values ​​are ongoing, but experts say they may take some time.

There is suspicion of sabotage

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense said in Berlin that the barracks had been closed for investigations “because there is suspicion of an attempted intrusion or an illegal intrusion that has taken place.” He said: “There is also suspicion of sabotage.” Lieutenant Colonel Ulrich Fonrobert, who spoke for the Bundeswehr in North Rhine-Westphalia, said: “Last night there was an incident in the barracks behind us. This incident has ensured that the barracks have been closed since then.” The Bundeswehr is taking this incident very seriously.

In the overall tense situation, suspicious observations were also made on the outskirts of the NATO airfield in Geilenkirchen – from where reconnaissance flights take off and land. Reports that the military airfield was cordoned off were refuted. According to information from security circles, however, a person in the vicinity of the airport was taken into custody for questioning. The suspicion was not confirmed, however. A security authority, however, ordered the drinking water there to be examined as well. However, nothing unusual was found.

Security politician warns of Russia’s hybrid warfare

The chairman of the Bundestag’s Parliamentary Control Committee, Konstantin von Notz (Greens), warned of Russia’s hybrid warfare in light of the suspicion of sabotage at the Bundeswehr air base in Cologne-Wahn. “If the suspicions are confirmed, the real dangers of the hybrid war that Putin’s Russia is waging against Western democracies will once again become apparent for our society,” he told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND).

“There are cyber attacks almost every day, broad disinformation campaigns that promote anti-democratic parties and individuals in Germany, Europe and the USA and are intended to divide our society, but there is also espionage and sabotage,” he warned. Von Notz demanded: “The investigation at the Bundeswehr air base in Cologne-Wahn must be pushed forward resolutely. The protection of soldiers on and in Bundeswehr properties is an essential basis for the important tasks of our army to protect our country and its people.”