2024-07-13 04:10:09
German Interior Minister Nancy Feser said today that she takes threats from Russia “very seriously” amid the backlash from revelations about the alleged Russian plot to kill the head of German arms company Rheinmetall, DPA reported.
“We do not comment on individual threats,” the minister told the agency in Berlin, after American television CNN first reported it last night. “But one thing is very clear – we take the significantly increased threat of Russian aggression very seriously,” she added.
Feser emphasized that Germany is taking action together with its international partners and security authorities to protect itself and thwart the plans of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Putin regime is seeking to undermine support for Ukraine, she said, adding: “We will not be intimidated.”
In the face of Russian threats, defense measures have been massively strengthened in Germany since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the minister noted. “Threats range from espionage, sabotage and cyber-attacks to state terrorism,” she said.
Feser pointed to two possible acts of sabotage foiled in April by German counterintelligence services. Two men were then arrested in the state of Bavaria and accused of planning attacks to sabotage German support for Ukraine.
“Our security authorities acted very consistently and prevented possible attacks with explosives in Germany,” Feser explained. “We will continue to do everything possible to prevent Russian threats in Germany,” said the interior minister.