Reinforcing Domestic Security Amidst Rising Espionage and Sabotage: Germany Stresses Urgent Need for Civil Defense Enhancements
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Country insists on increased Civil Protection due to Espionage and Sabotage activities. - Increased Surveillance and Disruption - Nation Advocates for Enhanced Citizen Security
In light of the escalating security predicament across Europe, the Lower Saxony state government vocalizes the necessity for a beefed-up civil defense initiative. "The growing likelihood of Russia initiating an attack on a NATO member state, triggering the alliance's response, necessitates dire consideration and preparedness," stated Interior Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) to the German Press Agency. "Given this critical juncture, investments in civil defense should now rank high on our priorities."
Lower Saxony calls for a revision of the equipment concept at the Interior Ministers' Conference from June 11 to 13 in Bremerhaven, with a full implementation set for 2029. The existing concept was conceived as early as 2007, having undergone minimal updates since then, according to the request.
The state also recalls the prevailing demand put forth by the states to the federal government for ten billion euros to be allocated towards the structural and effective augmentation of population protection within the subsequent ten years. "The financial package for defense and infrastructure nullifies the argument of financial constraints," underscores Behrens.
On the table: Field hospitals and mobile emergency water supplies
Among the specific procurements that the state is seeking are technologies for communication via satellite or analog radio when regular IT networks encounter disruptions. Moreover, equipment is needed to bolster the medical capabilities of hospitals for field hospital operations or to construct temporary hospitals. Additionally, there is a need for capacity to transfer patients across the nation, alongside investments in pumps and mobile water tankers to maintain clean water supplies.
Amid heightened hybrid threats
The demands emerge in the wake of a surge in so-called hybrid threats. Since the onset of the Russian assault on Ukraine, there have been repeated signs of espionage and sabotage aimed at European economic companies, authorities, municipalities, and critical infrastructure components.
Such operations are aimed against businesses, authorities, municipalities, as well as facilities integral to the critical infrastructure. Behrens stated, "These are observable across various sectors and constitute a cause for grave concern."
Unverified sightings of drones have been more frequent, she noted, cautiously adding, "Although we may not be able to verify all instances, it is prudent to assume potentially malicious drone activities in some cases."
Meanwhile, Lower Saxony appears geared to address disaster protection concerns, having invested in vehicles and equipment in recent times. "Our strategies in disaster protection will continue to be consistent, but for civil defense, the federal government holds constitutional responsibility," remarked Behrens. "We hope the federal government will engage the necessary resources and planning to address this domain effectively."
Responsibility for population protection in Germany is divided: While the federal government bears the burden of safeguarding the populace from war-related perils (civil defense), the states are responsible for protection from calamities in peacetime (disaster protection).
Background:
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has served to exacerbate concerns over hybrid threats in Europe, encompassing not only conventional warfare but also espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation, and the targeting of critical infrastructure. Recent examples of such threats targeted against economic companies, authorities, municipalities, and critical infrastructure are worth noting, particularly since Russia and its allies have escalated their efforts.
Recent Developments and Examples:
- Commercial Espionage and Economic Sabotage: There have been mounting reports of foreign actors, primarily those aligned with Russia, conducting espionage operations against European businesses. These operations generally involve attempts to steal intellectual property, stifle supply chains, or disrupt operations through cyber channels. While specific companies are often omitted from open-source reports for security reasons, governments like Germany, France, and the UK have warned of heightened risks[1][2].
- Infiltration of Authorities and Municipalities: Russian and pro-Russian actors are believed to be orchestrating campaigns to infiltrate local governments and administrative bodies, frequently resorting to cyberattacks, disinformation, or even co-opting insiders to influence decision-making or gather intelligence. These initiatives can erode public trust and disrupt the functioning of democratic institutions[2][3].
Targeting Critical Infrastructure:
- Cyberattacks on Energy and Transport: Critical infrastructure—such as energy grids, water supplies, and transportation networks—have become key targets. Cyber incidents affecting electricity providers and logistics companies have been attributed to Russian-affiliated hacker groups. These attacks are designed to inflict disruption, economic harm, and instill fear among the populace[2][3].
- Physical Sabotage and Disruptions: In addition to cyberattacks, there have been cases of suspected physical sabotage, like tampering with undersea cables and pipelines. The Nord Stream explosions in 2022, while still under investigation, are often cited as evidence of the vulnerabilities of critical energy infrastructure to hybrid activities[1][3].
Municipal and Public Sector Vulnerabilities:
- Cyberattacks on Local Governments: Numerous European municipalities have encountered ransomware attacks and phishing campaigns targeting public services, often resulting in service disruptions, data breaches, and financial losses. Attribution of these incidents to Russian-linked groups is common[2][3].
- Disinformation and Fake News: Authorities alert us to disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining trust in local governments and institutions, particularly during elections or crises. These campaigns can be amplified through social media and fake news websites, and often originating from Russian sources[2][3].
Context of the Russian Attack on Ukraine:
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, hybrid threats against Europe have intensified and evolved. The conflict demonstrates Russia's inclination to employ a wide range of non-traditional tactics—including cyber warfare, espionage, and disinformation—to destabilize not only Ukraine but also its European neighbors [1][3].
- Cross-Border Cooperation: Recent intelligence reveals collaboration between Russia and Iran in the production and deployment of attack drones and cyber tools, which are used against Ukraine and potentially pose a threat to European security if proliferated further[5].
- Broadened NATO/EU Adaptation: NATO and the EU are increasingly focused on expanding their capacity to respond to cyber, space, and hybrid threats, recognizing that conventional defense mechanisms are insufficient to cope with the transforming adversity landscape[4].
Summary Table:
| Target Type | Recent Example/Form of Threat | Attribution/Context ||------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|| Economic Companies | Industrial espionage, cyberattacks | Russia-aligned groups, Asia || Authorities/Municipalities | Cyberattacks, disinformation | Russian/proxy groups || Critical Infrastructure | Cyber/physical sabotage, disruption | Russia-linked hackers, sabotage |
- In the context of rising hybrid threats, such as espionage and sabotage, Lower Saxony state government emphasizes the necessity of revising the equipment concept for civil defense, including investments in communication technologies, medical capabilities for field hospital operations, and capacity for patient transfers.
- As a response to war-and-conflicts, like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the German government should engage the necessary resources and planning to address the domain of civil defense effectively, while the states are responsible for protection from calamities in peacetime (disaster protection), as per general-news and crime-and-justice reports.
