Germany Prepares for Wave of Drone Attacks as Interior Minister Warns: “These Attacks Will Increase”

Germany is preparing a broad security plan for a threat its interior minister says will grow: drone attacks, cyberattacks and other forms of sabotage attributed to Russia. The warning followed an attempted drone attack near Leipzig/Halle airport, which German authorities blamed on Moscow. Russia denies the accusation.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told Bild am Sonntag, “These attacks will increase, but we can defend and protect ourselves.” He said Russia’s hybrid attacks had become part of everyday reality. The government plans to expand the police’s mobile counter-drone capabilities, allowing specialized units to move quickly between cities and protect the airspace over critical infrastructure, major transport hubs and government areas.

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These attacks will increase, but we can defend and protect ourselves.

The proposed units could include vehicles and helicopters that can be deployed rapidly when threats emerge. Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin are among the cities mentioned. Germany also wants companies operating critical infrastructure, including energy suppliers and defense-industry firms, to receive legal authority not only to detect drones but also to counter them.

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the beginning of a real war

Berlin’s plan extends beyond drones. Germany intends to create a national cyber-defense shield called “cyberdome,” based on a network of digital sensors designed to detect and intercept cyberattacks. The government also plans to expand the use of artificial intelligence, biometric facial recognition and video surveillance. Such systems could be used at railway stations to identify people suspected of preparing acts of sabotage.

The measures follow an August incident at Leipzig/Halle airport, where a drone carrying explosives was found near a Ukrainian aircraft. German authorities concluded that Russia was behind the attempted attack, while Moscow rejected the claim. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called Germany’s accusations “the beginning of a real war” and said no proper investigation had established Russian involvement.

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Leipzig, airport... They found a drone there. They said it was Russian and no one bothered to investigate further. Broadly speaking, this is essentially the beginning of a real war.