BND chief Martin Jaeger told a parliamentary hearing that Germany risks being drawn into violent conflict as Moscow intensifies a shadow war, while saying there is no sign of an imminent large-scale attack on NATO.
Germany is at risk of being drawn into a violent conflict as Moscow steps up what its foreign intelligence chief called an increasingly aggressive shadow war against European democracies.
Martin Jaeger, head of the Bundesnachrichtendienst, told the annual public hearing of intelligence chiefs in parliament on Monday that the confrontation with Russia has taken on a new, more dangerous dimension. He said Germany is in danger of becoming embroiled in a violent conflict with Russia, and cited an attempted attack in Leipzig as one example. The threat of attacks against targets in Germany remains real and imminent, he said.
Jaeger said Russian intelligence operations in and against Germany are increasingly aggressive and that Moscow is prepared to use force. From the Kremlin's perspective, he said, any sign of wavering invites more pressure. He also said there is no indication of an imminent large-scale Russian attack on NATO territory, but that Russia could engage in low-intensity military activities, particularly in the Baltic states.
Germany must prepare for more meddling and attempts at intimidation, including threats of nuclear attack, he said. German intelligence is set to receive new powers to thwart attacks, Reuters reported.
Bloomberg, which rendered his name as Martin Jager, also reported that he described a new, more dangerous quality to the threat and the prospect of Europe's largest economy becoming involved in a violent conflict.