KGB-style strike: Russia destroys NATO vehicles deep inside Germany — has Moscow adopted Ukraine's playbook?

Time of India

3 days ago

Russians escalate attacks on NATO as suspected sabotage sets German military vehicles ablaze in Erfurt. On June 26, several Rheinmetall trucks, meant for NATO support and Ukraine aid, were destroyed in a targeted arson attack—marking the third incident in three years. Investigators suspect Russian intelligence behind this ongoing sabotage campaign, aimed at disrupting Europe's military logistics. With Germany now the largest defense donor to Ukraine, experts warn this is part of Moscow's covert hybrid war. The Erfurt attack raises urgent questions about NATO security and how far Russian operatives are reaching into the heart of Europe's defense network.
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Why is Erfurt becoming a hotspot for Russian sabotage?
Could Russian intelligence be operating deep inside Germany?
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What other Russian sabotage activities have hit Europe recently?
Drone interference in Denmark
Railway sabotage attempts in Poland
Cyberattacks on Baltic state networks
Trump predict Russia could target other EU countries?
'It's possible. I mean, it's possible.'
Why is the June 26 Erfurt fire so significant?
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How is Germany responding to growing Russian threats?
What does this mean for NATO and European security?
FAQs:
In a troubling escalation, Russians have allegedly intensified attacks on NATO infrastructure, targeting military logistics vehicles in the heart of Germany. On June 26, several Rheinmetall-made military trucks were set ablaze in Erfurt, a city in central Germany, marking the third such incident in three years. Authorities are now investigating this as a suspected foreign sabotage attack, potentially linked to Russian intelligence efforts to disrupt Europe's military support to Ukraine.The fire in Erfurt on June 26 destroyed at least three military logistics trucks, with local media and defense analysts suggesting that these were intended for NATO operations and support for Ukraine's armed forces. This is not the first time the city has been targeted. In 2023, an arson attack hit the MAN truck plant, and again on June 1, 2024, the same location suffered a similar fire.This repeated targeting has raised serious security concerns. The vehicles attacked were reportedly part of Germany's increasing military aid to Ukraine. With Germany becoming Europe's largest defense donor to Ukraine in 2024–25, Russian intelligence operations seem to be focusing on undermining Berlin's support from within.Investigators have not ruled out state-backed actors. German security services are now probing potential links to Russian intelligence operatives or their affiliates. This comes after a string of covert actions across Germany and Europe, which follow a clear pattern of strategic sabotage.In a separate case earlier in 2024, a German-Russian dual national was arrested for planning attacks on U.S. military facilities and defense contractors in Germany. Authorities believe he was working under instructions from Russian handlers. In another attempt, German officials thwarted plans to damage critical infrastructure tied to Ukraine-linked supply routes.Erfurt's incident is just one part of a wider covert campaign. Across Europe, authorities have reported:These actions—while individually subtle—form a broader hybrid warfare strategy by Moscow. By using deniable, asymmetric tactics like sabotage and cyberattacks, Russia aims to weaken Western support for Ukraine, slow down military logistics, and cause psychological unease among European nations.In a June 26 statement at the NATO summit in The Hague, U.S. President Donald Trump was asked whether Vladimir Putin might attack other European countries beyond Ukraine. His response?While not a definitive prediction, Trump's comments mark a clear warning that the Kremlin's ambitions may not stop at Ukraine. With hybrid attacks like Erfurt, Trump's words are now being viewed through a more serious lens.Unlike previous acts of interference, the Erfurt arson targeted active military equipment stationed on German soil. These weren't just storage units or civilian infrastructure—they were trucks meant to directly assist NATO and Ukrainian defense logistics.Images shared online showed massive black smoke clouds rising from the site. Firefighters responded quickly, but the destruction was already done. While the German government hasn't released the exact number of vehicles destroyed, the symbolic and operational damage is clear. This wasn't just vandalism—it was a message.Germany has ramped up its counterintelligence measures. Given its leading role in providing arms, training, and logistics to Ukraine, Berlin is now a frontline state in the shadow war between NATO and Moscow. The government is working closely with domestic intelligence services and NATO partners to strengthen critical infrastructure security.Germany's defense aid to Kyiv surged in 2024 and 2025, positioning it ahead of other European allies. However, with visibility comes risk. The Erfurt fire exposed vulnerabilities in Germany's military logistics network, which Russian operatives appear eager to exploit.If confirmed as a Russian-coordinated act, the Erfurt fire could become one of the most direct acts of sabotage on NATO territory in the past year. It signals a boldness that goes beyond espionage—Russia is now willing to target military hardware inside alliance nations, risking escalation and diplomatic fallout.The broader question for NATO isn't if such attacks will continue—but how the alliance will adapt to a battlefield that now includes cyberattacks, sabotage, and psychological warfare. Hybrid war has no frontlines, and Europe may be entering a phase where military support for Ukraine must be shielded not just from missiles—but from flames within.Russian-linked saboteurs allegedly set fire to military trucks meant for NATO support in Erfurt.Russia is trying to disrupt NATO's aid to Ukraine through sabotage and covert operations.