Germany risks being drawn into a violent conflict with Russia as hostile activity against European countries grows, the head of its foreign intelligence service has warned.
Martin Jäger, president of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, made the assessment during a public hearing of intelligence chiefs in parliament on Monday, 5 October. He described the confrontation with Russia as more dangerous and said German targets faced a continuing threat from covert attacks.
Jäger did not say that a full-scale war was about to begin. According to Reuters, he said there was no indication of an imminent large-scale Russian attack on NATO territory, although he raised the possibility of smaller military actions, particularly in the Baltic states.
What prompted the warning?
Jäger pointed to what he called Russia’s “shadow war” against Germany and other European countries. Such activity can include sabotage, cyber attacks, and attempts to intimidate or influence governments without open warfare.
He cited an attempted attack at Leipzig airport. The German government has attributed that incident to Russia, an allegation Moscow has denied. The government has also said it is strengthening protection against similar threats.
Germany’s support for Ukraine is part of the tension. Jäger said Russian operations against Germany were becoming more aggressive and warned that Moscow could increase pressure if it perceived weakness. Russia has repeatedly denied intending to attack NATO countries.
What the warning means
The intelligence chief’s remarks are an assessment of risk, not an announcement that Germany and Russia are at war. They draw attention to the possibility that a covert attack or a smaller confrontation could escalate.
Germany’s parliament held the hearing to question the heads of its intelligence agencies in public. Any proposed expansion of those agencies’ powers would require a separate legislative decision. For now, the distinction is clear: German officials are warning of a more dangerous security environment, while Jäger says his service sees no imminent large-scale assault on NATO.
