German minister warns of daily 'hybrid warfare' after suspected drone attack

Germany faces daily hybrid warfare attacks from abroad, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt was quoted as saying on ​Sunday, following a suspected attack attempt involving an explosive-laden ‌drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport.

Dobrindt told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag that foreign powers wanted to subdue Germany politically and socially by stirring up ​fear there.

"We're not at war, but we are ​the daily target of hybrid warfare," Dobrindt said. "Espionage, sabotage, ⁠cyberattacks, or covert operations by foreign powers aimed at ​destabilising Germany or inflicting direct harm are a constant reality."

The ​newspaper's advance release of the interview did not say whether he identified any countries in particular.

After the drone loaded with explosives was discovered ​at the airport in eastern Germany on Tuesday, some German ​lawmakers pointed the finger at Russia, which has been at war with Ukraine ‌since ⁠its military invasion of the country in 2022.

The Russian embassy in Berlin on Friday dismissed the Leipzig event as a "fabricated provocation", saying it was another example of accusations against ​Russia without evidence.

Dobrindt, ​a member ⁠of the conservative Christian Social Union, had called the Leipzig incident a "hybrid attack scenario," and ​left open possible involvement by foreign powers.

Germany's armed ​forces ⁠on Saturday said two drones were spotted late on Thursday over a German military base site in Mechernich, in the western state ⁠of ​North Rhine-Westphalia.

Dobrindt highlighted the expansion of ​drone research in Germany as part of the response to the new threats.


-Reuters