German police launch terror probes on power grid attacks

German authorities were, on Wednesday, September 2, investigating two similar attacks on electricity substations in different parts of the country, the latest suspected sabotage targeting critical infrastructure.

Police launched a terrorism probe over the first incident, which saw improvised explosives fired early on Tuesday at a site in the eastern state of Brandenburg, damaging power cables.

In the second sabotage attack, unknown perpetrators allegedly deliberately caused a short-circuit by targeting overhead power lines at a substation in Bergheim in North Rhine-Westphalia state. Police said there were similarities between the two incidents, particularly the use of pyrotechnic devices. Neither incident caused widespread power outages, although operations at nearby coal-fired power stations were affected.

Foreign interference or far-left extremism?

North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul said officials were probing whether the attack in the state was directed by a “foreign state” or left-wing extremism.

Germany has faced repeated attacks on electricity infrastructure, with far-left militants claiming responsibility in some cases. Berlin, a key supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Russia, is also on alert for Moscow-backed sabotage plots.

“More sabotage, more hybrid attacks – interference like this is not happening far away, it’s happening right on our doorstep,” Reul told a press conference. “And anyone who acts this way is not just trying to hit cables; they’re trying to hit our country.”

The attacks came the same day that Germany formally blamed Russia for an attempted “hybrid attack” last month, involving an explosive-laden drone at a strategic airport in Leipzig, and announced diplomatic countermeasures.

READ MORE HERE