Germany Sees Russian Covert Attacks as Prelude to Wider Conflict

Russia is intensifying covert attacks on key infrastructure in Germany in a campaign of hybrid warfare that Berlin views as a possible prelude to a wider conflict, according to a military document obtained by Bloomberg.

As Germany positions itself as NATO’s main hub in Europe, it expects to be first targeted by Russia covertly via hybrid attacks — which use irregular or non-military tactics — on energy and defense infrastructure, according to the defense ministry document. It summarizes guidelines for cooperation between different levels of government and institutions in case of conflict with Moscow.