German lawmakers to examine Russia’s hybrid threat in special session

Germany’s Bundestag Interior Committee will convene a special session on Thursday to discuss what the government calls Russia’s hybrid threat.

The sole agenda item will be a government report on the threat situation and planned countermeasures, according to an invitation sent to lawmakers. The Greens requested the session, which will take place unusually during a week normally reserved for budget debates, when Bundestag committees do not meet.

The meeting follows the government’s accusation last week that Russia was responsible for an attempted attack involving an explosive drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Aug. 4. The drone, fitted with explosives, was found beside Ukrainian cargo aircraft. Berlin said it would respond with diplomatic and other consequences.

“

A series of attempts at destabilization, disinformation and threats.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described the incident as a serious threat from Russia. Wadephul said the attempted attack formed part of “a series of attempts at destabilization, disinformation and threats.”

“We are not at war, but we are the daily target of hybrid warfare,” Dobrindt said. He added that the findings so far pointed to Russian responsibility for the attempted airport attack. The ministers cited the recovered drone, components, explosives and ignition technology, saying the parts came from Russian drone technology known from the war in Ukraine. They described the preparation as professional and said it demonstrated a high level of expertise.

“

We are not at war, but we are the daily target of hybrid warfare.