Intelligence chief says Germany is engaged in 'shadow war' with Russia
05.10.2026, DPA
The German intelligence services believe that Germany must become significantly more resilient, particularly in the face of the threat posed by Russia.
"Russia is waging a shadow war against us," Martin Jäger, president of the international Federal Intelligence Service (BND), said during a public hearing of the Bundestag's Parliamentary Oversight Committee.
This involves, for example, attempts at intimidation, against which, Jäger said, the intelligence services are "the first line of defence."
The president of the domestic intelligence service, formally known as the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), Sinan Selen, told the committee that Russia is demonstrating its willingness to engage in sabotage and murder.
The spectrum, he said, also includes disinformation campaigns and attempted attacks, such as the one at Leipzig airport in August when a drone rigged with explosives was discovered next to Ukrainian cargo aircraft.
"We have already achieved some successes in thwarting these threats," Selen added. However, he believes the situation is escalating, which is why the German intelligence services must align their capabilities with those of other European partner services.
Selen, Jäger and the president of the Military Counter-Intelligence Service (MAD), Martina Rosenberg, are normally only available to answer questions from members of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee in closed-door sessions. A public hearing takes place just once a year.
So far in this parliamentary term, only lawmakers from the conservative bloc, the Social Democrats and the Greens have been represented on the committee, which keeps a close eye on the intelligence services. Candidates from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the hard-left The Left parliamentary groups failed to secure enough votes.
Minister says Russia tried to 'intimidate' Germany with drone attacks
05.10.2026, DPA
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche sees the Russian drone attacks during Chancellor Friedrich Merz's recent visit to Kiev as attempts by Moscow to intimidate the government in Berlin.
Reiche, who had also travelled to Ukraine, said in a podcast hosted by the deputy editor of the Bild newspaper, Paul Ronzheimer, that the attacks were taking place with great regularity. Targets very close to the city centre had been hit, she said.
Reiche explained that the attacks were a sign that the Russians wanted to cause disruption. They were demonstrating that they had no respect for whoever was meeting there at the time. "It is cynical," she said.
"I firmly believe that the Russian leadership knew exactly where to strike to send a clear message," she added, and said it was an attempt to "frighten, to deter, perhaps to create uncertainty, perhaps to prevent agreements from being concluded, to prevent people from reaffirming their solidarity."
She told the podcast that instilling fear was a favourite tactic of the Russian leadership.
Merz travelled to the Ukrainian capital at the weekend, along with Reiche and others. Russia intensified its airstrikes on Kiev and across the country during the visit.
German family minister defies Russian threats with Kiev visit
05.10.2026, DPA
German Family Minister Karin Prien arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on Monday morning, shortly after Chancellor Friedrich Merz completed his own visit to the country.
Prien said it was important to show support for Ukraine "across the full spectrum" after arriving at Kiev's central railway station.
The overnight train journey from Poland was calm, Prien said.
"But it is quite distressing, the idea of travelling into a war zone, distressing also because the Russians have threatened to intensify attacks on the civilian population and also on diplomats and guests," the conservative politician said.
"But it is important, especially in this situation, not to shrink back, not to show fear, but to be very clear," Prien said, adding that Germany stands "firmly by Ukraine."
On her trip, she said she wanted to draw attention in particular to the fate of children and young people and to support for civil society.
It was also about remembering the past that shapes the two countries together, she said. Meetings with Ukrainian ministers were also on the agenda.
Merz visited Ukraine over the weekend. The chancellor's return journey and Prien's outward journey did not coincide in timing.
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