FRANKFURT, October 5, 2026 — Germany faces an unprecedented threat that could lead to a "violent conflict" with Russia. The warning was issued by Martin Jaeger, president of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND), during a public hearing of the Bundestag's Parliamentary Control Panel for intelligence services.
A "shadow war" and direct threats
According to Jaeger, the confrontation with Moscow has entered a new and far more dangerous phase, marked by a genuine undeclared "shadow war" that falls outside conventional military or traditional categories. The head of foreign intelligence stressed that no other country poses such a direct and tangible threat to Germany, citing the attempted attack in Leipzig as an example and warning that the danger of attacks against German targets remains real and current.
These statements were echoed by Sinan Selen, president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), who reiterated that Germany is already under attack and that Russia has crossed "extremely dangerous red lines," orchestrating acts of sabotage both in the country and across the rest of Europe. According to the BND, the Kremlin's goal is to prevent Berlin and other European capitals from taking decisions contrary to Moscow's interests, while undermining Europe's political support for Ukraine through intimidation and interference.
International context: Merz in Kyiv amid Russian raids
The intelligence warning comes amid a day of heightened international tension, marked by the surprise visit by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Kyiv.Having arrived in Ukraine via Poland on the occasion of Germany's national holiday, Merz sought to demonstrate Berlin's solidarity despite threats from the Russian Foreign Ministry, which had called the visit a "deadly danger" for foreign leaders.
While the chancellor was in the Ukrainian capital — where he visited the Academy of Sciences, which had been hit by bombardment, and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky — the city was targeted by fresh Russian drone raids.During the mission, Merz announced a new military aid package worth one billion euros, along with 350 million for repairing damaged energy infrastructure.
For its part, the Kremlin further hardened its position. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia intends to continue fighting for full control of Donetsk, which it considers an integral part of the Russian Federation, while Russian media outlets and officials stepped up psychological pressure messaging aimed at making European political solidarity with Kyiv increasingly risky and uncomfortable.
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