"We are no longer at peace": Bundeswehr general concerned about threats from Russia

By Carsten Hoffmann

Berlin - The commander of the Bundeswehr 's new Operational Command , Alexander Sollfrank (58), sees Russian disruptive measures as a growing threat to security.

The commander of the new Operative Command Alexander Sollfrank (58).
The commander of the new Operative Command Alexander Sollfrank (58).  © Christophe Gateau/dpa

"We are no longer at peace. We are observing hostile activities against the Bundeswehr in Germany, against infrastructure, including spying," says the lieutenant general in Berlin.

There have also been "intrusion attempts" into Bundeswehr properties. They are also on the alert for threats from the air.

"We repeatedly have drone sightings over areas where they shouldn't actually be," says Sollfrank.

The general also refers to the repeated severing of cables in the Baltic Sea, where "we don't yet know exactly how it happened or who is behind it".

Sollfrank says: "But there are already suspicions as to how the whole thing could have happened and that there was a clear intention to cause damage."

Alexander Sollfrank's command is to ensure unified leadership

The new Operational Command Command, headed by Alexander Sollfrank, should be fully operational by April 1.
The new Operational Command Command, headed by Alexander Sollfrank, should be fully operational by April 1.  © Christophe Gateau/dpa

With the Operational Command and Control Command, the Bundeswehr will be geared towards national and alliance defense.

It is to be fully established by April 1 and will then ensure unified command and control from official and disaster relief, military evacuation operations and special forces missions through to comprehensive defense.

The Bundeswehr's Operational Command (EFK) and Territorial Command (TFK) will be merged for these tasks.

The general warns: "We can no longer choose. If it comes to a military conflict, we must not be second best." The Operational Command also looks at the protection of defense-critical infrastructure and industry, without which neither the community nor the military can function.

He pleads: "Security in Germany cannot be outsourced to the Bundeswehr. Companies must use security services in the appropriate form, for example."

Latent threat of military escalation

Alexander Sollfrank assumes that Russia is testing the response mechanisms in the event of disruptions.
Alexander Sollfrank assumes that Russia is testing the response mechanisms in the event of disruptions.  © Christophe Gateau/dpa

The number of incidents has increased in recent months and weeks.

"This means that it is reaching the level of perception of our population. There is already a latent sense of threat of military escalation with Russia ," says Sollfrank.

He says that we are actually in a strategic confrontation with Russia.

"It's cyber attacks, it's damage to property, it's spying and targeted disinformation," says Sollfrank.

Russia is using this to damage Germany and NATO - but below the threshold of a military conflict and without this being attributable. Russia should not underestimate Germany's willingness to act decisively.

Sollfrank: "I speak for my area of responsibility. The clear intention and the clear will to defend our country against any kind of aggression is absolutely there."