Threat level raised at NATO bases in Germany over potential Russian sabotage

The temporary increase in the threat level at a NATO air base near Geilenkirchen in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia last week was due to reliable information from foreign intelligence services about possible Russian sabotage threats using drones in the Federation.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported the incident on Monday, citing a source in the German security department.

On Thursday evening, Charlie temporarily declared the second-highest threat level, which in NATO terms means an incident or information about a possible terrorist attack against the alliance. Less than 24 hours later, the base returned to the Bravo+ level it has maintained since the start of the war in Ukraine.

A spokesman for the base said at the time that it was a purely precautionary measure to minimize potential risk to personnel and ensure continuity of critical activities, but added that it was unusual to take such a step and that the base had not done so in years.

The spokesman declined to comment on the nature of the threat, but rejected speculation that drones may have flown over the base.

At the base near Geilenkirchen, 14 aircraft equipped with early warning systems currently monitor the airspace over the eastern part of the alliance. With the help of radar, they are able to locate and identify other aircraft more than 400 kilometers away.

Less than two weeks ago, the Cologne military base was closed for several hours during an investigation into suspected sabotage. The cause was a hole in the fence protecting the base’s water supply. Tests showed no contamination of the water.