Germany Circles: Indication of Russian sabotage before NATO base alert

The temporary increase in the security level at the German NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen (North Rhine-Westphalia) was based on intelligence information about a possible threat from a Russian act of sabotage.

There had been a serious tip-off from a foreign intelligence service "about preparatory actions for a probable Russian act of sabotage against the NATO base through the use of a drone", the German Press Agency was told by German security circles.

Last week, the second-highest security level was in place for almost 24 hours due to a possible threat at the NATO base near Aachen. After nothing happened, the security precautions were reduced again on Friday afternoon to the level that had previously been in place, the so-called Bravo+ level. This was a precautionary measure to minimize the potential risk to staff, a spokesperson explained.

Previously, all non-essential staff had been sent home due to the intelligence tip-off. However, air traffic was reportedly not interrupted, but continued as normal. In NATO jargon, the second-highest security level, Charlie, means that an incident has occurred or that there is evidence that some form of terrorist action against the alliance is likely.

On alert due to terrorist threat

Special aircraft are stationed in Geilenkirchen, which are currently being used primarily to monitor the airspace in the Alliance's eastern region. With their mushroom-shaped radar setup, they are able to locate and identify other aircraft more than 400 kilometers away. According to the spokesman, around 1600 people work at the NATO airfield.

According to media reports, the US military bases in Germany and other European countries were already on heightened alert in July due to the threat of terrorism. The Pentagon had declared the second-highest security level Charlie at the bases, the US broadcaster CNN reported at the time, citing two unnamed government representatives. The nature of the alleged threat remained unclear.

NATO headquarters in Brussels, as well as the airbase, remained tight-lipped last week about the possible threat to the airfield. A base spokesperson dismissed speculation about drone overflights as "absurd". "Nothing has flown over here," he said.

Sabotage feared

Recently, there were also fears of sabotage at several German military bases. However, the all-clear was given after an inspection. For example, police and state security investigated a security incident at the waterworks of the Cologne-Wahn air force barracks on suspicion that the drinking water could have been contaminated.

Suspicious observations were also made in Geilenkirchen. According to information from security circles, someone in the vicinity of the airport has since been taken into custody for questioning, but the suspicion against the person has not been confirmed.