Berlin Goes Dark After Arson Attack on Power Infrastructure, Thousands Left Without Electricity

More than 35,000 households and nearly 2,000 businesses in Berlin were left without electricity following a deliberate attack on key infrastructure, according to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ).

German authorities confirmed that an arson attack early on January 3 targeted a cable bridge connected to the Lichterfelde power station, disrupting power and heating supply across four districts of the capital.

FAZ reports that the fire destroyed five high-voltage and ten medium-voltage power lines. The affected areas include the districts of Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, Wannsee, and Lichterfelde. In addition to power outages, residents were left without central heating, and authorities warned of possible disruptions to communications services.

According to FAZ, a far-left extremist group known as Vulkangruppe claimed responsibility for the attack in an online statement.

The group stated that the arson was carried out in protest against “energy greed” and the influence of technology companies. Law enforcement agencies consider the claim credible and have launched a formal investigation.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner commented on the incident, stating, “It is unacceptable that left-wing extremists once again openly attack our energy infrastructure and endanger human lives.”

As of January 4, utility companies had managed to restore electricity to approximately 10,000 households and 300 businesses in Lichterfelde. Temporary mobile infrastructure is being installed to cover the remaining outages, with full restoration expected by January 8.

In the interim, local authorities have set up warming and charging stations at administrative and religious buildings in the affected neighborhoods. Berlin police have also intensified patrols in darkened areas and around critical energy infrastructure, deploying officers equipped with portable lighting to compensate for disabled streetlights and alarm systems.

The January 3 incident comes amid increased concern over infrastructure sabotage in Germany. As FAZ notes, in October 2025, a higher regional court in Munich convicted three individuals for spying on behalf of Russia.

One of the men, a dual German-Russian national, was sentenced to six years in prison for plotting acts of sabotage aimed at undermining Germany’s support for Ukraine.

Earlier on June 26, a suspected arson attack at a Bundeswehr facility in Erfurt destroyed at least six German military trucks, in what was described as a sabotage operation. The trucks, clearly marked as Bundeswehr assets, were reportedly targeted by individuals linked to Russian intelligence, raising concerns about security breaches on NATO territory.

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