Germany stays in Russia’s sabotage crosshairs, and its industry now braces for the long haul

German industry is preparing for persistent and evolving Russian sabotage against its companies, according to the deputy head of the Federation of German Industries (BDI). Deputy managing director Holger Lösch stated that companies are not targeted by chance, as Russia's influence operations and sabotage methods are becoming more varied.

Germany has become a primary target of Russia's covert campaign in Europe, with the country facing continuous attacks on Ukrainian cities and power plants while supporting Ukraine's defense efforts. Russian industry sabotage operations now target critical infrastructure, defense supply chains, and companies involved in supplying Ukraine.

Industry has received more threat warnings, and cooperation with authorities has improved, but there is still a need for joint procedures to swiftly translate warnings into concrete measures. The warning comes a week after a Bundestag intelligence oversight panel hearing, where Germany's Federal Intelligence Service head, Martin Jäger, described Russia as waging a shadow war against Germany, making the country a main obstacle to Russian hegemonic power projection and a target of Russian action.