Anna Hartz
European countries have become increasingly concerned about attacks that do not look like traditional warfare.
Cyberattacks, drones, sabotage and other forms of interference can create pressure without a country formally going to war. Germany has warned that Russia is using some of these methods against European targets.
The Kremlin strongly rejected that accusation on Tuesday, October 6, reports Ziare.
“No real factual basis”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed claims by Martin Jager, head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, that Russia is waging a “shadow war” against European countries.
“These accusations are absolutely unfounded and have no real factual basis,” Peskov told journalists when asked about the German allegations.
Jager said on Monday that Germany was facing a confrontation with Russia that had entered a “new, more dangerous dimension”. He also warned that the possibility of Russian attacks against targets in Germany remained real and imminent.
The Kremlin, however, said Germany was using the Russian threat to justify higher military spending.
Peskov accused Berlin of “creating an imaginary enemy to justify spending on militarization”.
German authorities have repeatedly warned about what they describe as a Russian hybrid campaign. They have pointed to suspected drone and cyberattacks as part of a wider effort to put pressure on Germany and other European countries.
German authorities have also blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport in August. The Kremlin has rejected the broader accusations.
Major increase in military spending
The dispute comes as Germany is preparing to spend much more on defense. In July, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany planned to double its defense budget within four years.
Merz also said Germany intended to reach NATO’s target of spending 3.5 percent of its gross domestic product on core defense needs by 2029. That would put Germany on track to reach the target earlier than previously planned.
Berlin says stronger defense spending is necessary because of the changing security situation in Europe.
Moscow sees the situation differently. The Kremlin says accusations about Russian attacks are unfounded and are being used to support a major increase in military spending.
The disagreement reflects the wider tension between Russia and Germany. Berlin continues to warn about possible Russian interference and attacks, while Moscow rejects the allegations and accuses Germany of using Russia as a reason to expand its military.
