Ukraine to Help Germany Counter Russian Sabotage and Drones – Ambassador

Ukraine will share its experience with Germany in countering Russian drone attacks and protecting critical infrastructure.

Oleksii Makeiev, Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany, said this in an interview with European Pravda.

He said Germany already understands the seriousness of the threat posed by Russia’s covert operations. However, the German government still refers to these activities as “hybrid attacks.”

Makeiev stressed that it is important to recognize Russia as the perpetrator, mastermind, and organizer of the drone attack involving explosives in Leipzig.

“It is very important that Russia was identified as the perpetrator, mastermind, and organizer of this attack, and that it is seen not as an isolated incident but as part of a systematic Russian campaign. Although the German government refers to them as hybrid attacks and hybrid threats, a growing sense among German politicians and the public is that the word ‘hybrid’ should no longer be used to downplay the danger posed by these threats and attacks. This is an important shift in perception,” the Ambassador noted.

In his view, the measures agreed upon by Germany in response, including the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the “Russian House,” as well as pressure on Russia’s “shadow fleet,” are important steps.

Makeiev noted that Ukraine has cooperated with Germany for a long time and has offered its experience in countering the Russian threat.

“We have been working closely with Germany’s Interior Ministry for some time to develop solutions that would allow Germany to draw on Ukraine’s experience in countering Russian drones and protecting critical infrastructure,” the Ambassador shared.

These issues are expected to be discussed during upcoming phone calls, meetings, and visits by Ukrainian delegations to Germany and German delegations to Ukraine.

Germany has recently seen a rise in incidents that could be classified as acts of sabotage or terrorism. For example, an explosion involving an unidentified object occurred near the main railway station in Augsburg, Bavaria, on Wednesday morning, according to DW. Meanwhile, during the night of September 2, several power lines at a substation in Bergheim reportedly failed following what was initially described as a short circuit. However, police suspect that the incident may have been deliberate.

On September 1, Germany officially stated that Russia was responsible for the drone attack on a Ukrainian An-124 that took place at Leipzig Airport last month.

The drone struck the cargo aircraft’s wing but failed to detonate. The airport was temporarily shut down while bomb disposal experts dealt with the device. U.S. intelligence later determined that Russian military intelligence was behind the attempted act of sabotage.