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Germany’s Spy Chief Warns Russia Could “Test Europe’s Borders” Anytime
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Moscow is preparing to “test Europe’s borders” and could spark a military confrontation at any moment, Germany’s top intelligence chief warned, calling Russia a direct “adversary” of his country, Bloomberg reported on October 13.
“Russia is hiding its intentions, but in reality, it aims to test our borders. At best, Europe is in a state of cold peace that could turn into a hot confrontation anywhere, at any time. We must prepare for further escalation,” said Martin Jäger, head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), speaking before the Bundestag at the annual public hearing of Germany’s intelligence agencies.
Jäger, who previously served as Germany’s ambassador to Ukraine, said Russia’s hybrid operations—from cyberattacks and espionage to aerial provocations and disinformation—have reached “a new level of confrontation.”
“The frequency of these incidents represents a new phase of conflict—one in which Russia views us as an adversary and a party to the war,” he said.
The BND chief warned that it would be “unacceptable to sit idly by” while Russia continues its preparations.
“We are already under fire today,” he emphasized, dismissing earlier assessments that a major Russian attack on NATO could only come by the late 2020s.
Germany’s military intelligence and defense ministry had previously forecast that the Kremlin could be ready for a “large-scale conventional war” against NATO by the end of the decade—possibly shifting troops toward the Baltic states after its aggression against Ukraine.
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“We must confront our opponents wherever necessary,” Jäger said. “This means taking higher risks—but doing so in a controlled and deliberate way.”
He also urged lawmakers to expand the BND’s authority to match the “realities of our new era,” allowing for more active countermeasures abroad. “Restraint and leniency are interpreted as weakness by our opponents such as Russia—we must draw the right conclusions from this,” he said.
Jäger added that this tougher stance would require “the support and trust of politicians, legislators, and the public.”
He spoke alongside Sinan Selen, head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency (BfV), and Martina Rosenberg, chief of military intelligence (BAMAD).
Addressing China’s indirect support for Moscow, Jäger said Russia was now far more dependent on Beijing than vice versa, while Selen noted that Germany remains one of the main targets of Chinese espionage.
Earlier, drone sightings forced Germany’s Munich Airport to shut down flight operations at night, disrupting travel for thousands of passengers and diverting flights across the region.
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