2 days ago
Germany Investigates Two Power Grid Sabotage Attacks Amid Russia Fears
German police are investigating two attacks on electricity equipment.
One happened in Brandenburg in eastern Germany, and the other happened near Bergheim in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The attackers appear to have used explosives, fireworks, wires, or other devices to damage power lines.
Some coal-powered electricity units stopped working temporarily.
However, the attacks did not cause major blackouts.
Police are checking whether the two incidents were connected.
They are also investigating whether a foreign government or left-wing extremists could be responsible.
German officials are worried that these attacks may be part of a larger pattern called hybrid warfare.
Germany has also accused Russia of an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, but Russia rejects that accusation.
German police are investigating suspected sabotage at substations in Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia.
The Brandenburg attack involved homemade explosives, while the Bergheim attack used pyrotechnic devices and conductive wire.
The incidents disrupted power-generating units but caused no widespread or prolonged electricity outages.
Authorities are examining possible links to foreign-state direction, left-wing extremism, or other perpetrators.
Germany formally blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack on a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month, which Moscow denied.
- Who
- German police, security officials, and electricity operators are investigating; possible perpetrators have not been identified.
- What
- Two suspected sabotage attacks damaged electricity infrastructure, while Germany also accused Russia of an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
- Where
- The grid incidents occurred near Preilack in Brandenburg and near Bergheim in North Rhine-Westphalia; the airport incident was at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
- When
- The power-grid incidents occurred on Tuesday and were being investigated on Wednesday; the airport incident occurred the previous month.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating possible disruption of essential services and assessing whether the incidents are connected to foreign-state activity, extremism, or broader hybrid warfare.
Authorities’ Security Concerns
Alternative Explanations and Denials
Who may be responsible
Authorities’ Security Concerns
German officials are investigating whether the attacks were directed by a foreign state, including possible Moscow-backed sabotage, and whether they form part of hybrid warfare.
Alternative Explanations and Denials
No perpetrator has been identified. Officials are also examining left-wing extremism and other possible explanations rather than assigning responsibility to Russia.
Connection between the grid attacks
Authorities’ Security Concerns
Police and Brandenburg officials said the incidents appeared to share similarities, including the use of pyrotechnic devices, and are examining whether they were coordinated.
Alternative Explanations and Denials
Investigators said the inquiry is at a very early stage, and officials have not established that the attacks were connected.
Russia’s alleged role
Authorities’ Security Concerns
Germany blamed Russia for the attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, and Kaja Kallas said it bore the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism.
Alternative Explanations and Denials
Moscow denied responsibility and said there was no evidence supporting Germany’s accusation.
Key facts
- Grid incidents
- Two substations or related power infrastructure sites were targeted within roughly 24 hours.
- Brandenburg attack
- Homemade explosives resembling large fireworks were fired at power cables near Preilack.
- Bergheim attack
- Investigators found six suspected launchers and believe conductive wire was used to short-circuit overhead power lines.
- Power impact
- Five coal-fired generating units were knocked offline; RWE said the affected units had a combined capacity of 4,200 megawatts.
- Electricity supply
- The attacks caused disruptions but no widespread power outages, and affected units were being restored.
- Police investigation
- Authorities launched a terrorism probe into the Brandenburg incident and are investigating both attacks for suspected disruption of public services and destruction of essential equipment.
- Russia allegation
- Germany said Russia was behind an attempted drone attack on a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport; Moscow said there was no evidence supporting the accusation.
Quotes
Herbert Reul
North Rhine-Westphalia interior minister
“Just a few weeks ago, we were discussing our airports at length; now, the focus has shifted back to energy supply facilities.”
theprint.in
“More sabotage, more hybrid attacks -- interference like this is not happening far away, it's happening right on our doorstep”
NDTV
Sources
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