BND Chief Warns Germany Risks Conflict With Russia

Germany’s foreign intelligence chief, Martin Jaeger, warned lawmakers on Monday that the country could be drawn into a violent conflict with Russia, saying the confrontation had entered a more dangerous phase. He described Russia as Germany’s most serious direct threat and said Moscow increasingly viewed Berlin as a main adversary. Jaeger, head of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), made the assessment at a parliamentary intelligence hearing in Berlin. He said Germany had not sought a confrontation but faced a growing risk as tensions with Moscow intensified. His comments were a warning about the potential consequences of the tensions, not a report that an armed conflict had begun. As an example, Jaeger cited an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport in August. German authorities have accused Russia of involvement, and one account described Russian agents as prime suspects. The available reports do not establish who was responsible for the attempted attack or provide evidence confirming that attribution. Jaeger’s warning came amid German allegations that Russia has pursued a campaign of espionage, sabotage and other disruptive activity.