During the incident, “abnormal water values” and then a hole in the fence were discovered, said a spokesman for the German Armed Forces in Cologne outside the barracks. The military area was then cordoned off for hours. Police authorities, military police (“military police”) and the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) were on site. After investigating, the German Armed Forces did not confirm reports that there were cases of illness among the soldiers.
As a precautionary measure, the barracks’ water treatment plant was deactivated and samples were taken. The rapid tests confirmed values in the water that deviated from the norm, but did not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the quality and quantity of the contaminants.
Final findings on drinking water are available
The final results of the required inspections are now available. No violations of the limit values of the German Drinking Water Ordinance were found. The water can be used again. The incidents had no impact on the civilian water supply.
The barracks were not allowed to be entered or left for several hours, but were then reopened. Several departments are located in Cologne-Wahn. The Bundeswehr’s air force – responsible for trips by the Federal President and Chancellor, cabinet members and high-ranking government officials – is also based there.
The police announced on Wednesday that the investigation was initially based on trespassing against an unknown person. However, state security has also been called in. The Cologne public prosecutor’s office also referred to the ongoing investigations on Thursday. “No proceedings have been initiated here yet,” explained a spokesman for the authority.
Experts warn against actions against the military and infrastructure
Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the security situation in Europe as a whole has been reassessed. Security experts have repeatedly warned that military infrastructure could also be the target of spying or sabotage attempts.
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The German army spoke of an “incident” that the operations department had become aware of due to abnormal water values. Then the hole in the fence leading to the barracks’ waterworks was discovered. Investigations into the changed water values are ongoing, but experts say they may take some time.
Suspicion of sabotage in barracks exists
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense said in Berlin that the barracks had been closed for investigations “because there is suspicion of an attempted intrusion or an illegal intrusion that has taken place.” He said: “There is also suspicion of sabotage.” Lieutenant Colonel Ulrich Fonrobert, who spoke for the Bundeswehr in North Rhine-Westphalia, said: “Last night there was an incident in the barracks behind us. This incident has ensured that the barracks have been closed since then.” The Bundeswehr is taking this incident very seriously.
In the overall tense situation, suspicious observations were also made on the outskirts of the NATO airfield in Geilenkirchen – from where reconnaissance flights take off and land. Reports that the military airfield was cordoned off were refuted. According to information from security circles, however, a person in the vicinity of the airport was taken into custody for questioning. The suspicion was not confirmed, however. A security authority, however, ordered the drinking water there to be examined as well. However, no abnormalities were found.
Security politician warns of Russia’s hybrid warfare
The chairman of the Bundestag’s Parliamentary Control Committee, Konstantin von Notz (Greens), warned of Russia’s hybrid warfare in light of the suspicion of sabotage at the Bundeswehr air base in Cologne-Wahn. “If the suspicions are confirmed, the real dangers of the hybrid war that Putin’s Russia is waging against Western democracies will once again become apparent for our society,” he told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND).
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“There are cyber attacks almost every day, broad disinformation campaigns that promote anti-democratic parties and individuals in Germany, Europe and the USA and are intended to divide our society, but there is also espionage and sabotage,” he warned. Von Notz demanded: “The investigation at the Bundeswehr air base in Cologne-Wahn must be resolutely pushed forward. The protection of soldiers on and in Bundeswehr properties is an essential basis for the important tasks of our army to protect our country and its people.”
The chairman of the Bundestag’s Defense Committee, Marcus Faber (FDP), has also cast suspicion on Russia. “Due to the proximity in time of the incidents in the two barracks, one can assume that a hostile actor wants to demonstrate his sabotage capabilities here,” Faber told Bild on Wednesday. “The actor who has the greatest interest in this is Putin,” he added, referring to the Russian president. Whether this suspicion is confirmed “must be determined by further investigations,” the defense expert continued.
Pistorius calls for increased attention
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has called for increased vigilance following the suspected cases of sabotage. “We reacted quickly at both locations, blocked access, tightened controls, called in investigative authorities and arranged for laboratory tests. The incidents show that we must continue to remain vigilant,” Pistorius told the magazine, according to a preliminary report from Wednesday evening in “Spiegel”.
“Of course, we will also review our security plans after these incidents and adapt them if necessary,” Pistorius continued. “This has already been commissioned.” There is currently no concrete evidence of a connection between the two incidents in Cologne-Wahn and Geilenkirchen. “Now we must wait for further investigation results and act prudently. We are relying on the proven cooperation with the responsible investigative authorities,” said the SPD politician.
