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Elevated security at NATO airbase in Germany due to Russian sabotage threat

Photo by Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images
Photo by Sascha Schuermann/Getty Images
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The NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen, near Aachen in western Germany, operated under heightened security last week after foreign intelligence warned of a potential Russian sabotage attempt, as reported by the German Press Agency (DPA) on Monday.

A NATO base in North Rhine-Westphalia temporarily heightened its security to “Charlie”—the second highest of four, after a foreign intelligence service provided credible information suggesting potential Russian sabotage involving a drone.

In response, the base operated under increased security protocols for nearly 24 hours, sending non-essential personnel home while maintaining normal air traffic. The security level was elevated until Friday afternoon, after which it returned to “Bravo+”, the base’s usual status.

The Geilenkirchen airbase plays a critical role in NATO operations, hosting a fleet of AWACS surveillance planes, used for monitoring airspace along NATO’s eastern borders. The base’s importance has grown amid heightened tensions between NATO and Russia following the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Although the threat did not materialize, the temporary measures highlight the region’s ongoing security concerns, as well as the risk of sabotage activities targeting critical NATO infrastructure.

Last week, Geilenkirchen base also raised the security level after a nearby military base was temporarily sealed off as authorities investigated possible sabotage to the water supply.
Source: PAP. Reuters
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