Germany’s top military officer has warned that Russia is using drones and other hybrid operations to test NATO’s defenses and identify weaknesses that could be exploited in a future conflict.
Gen. Carsten Breuer, the Bundeswehr’s chief of defense, told The Wall Street Journal that hybrid attacks occur daily across NATO, with countries along the alliance’s eastern flank facing particular pressure.
According to Breuer, Moscow is monitoring how governments respond to individual incidents and adapting its tactics accordingly.
He also argued that Russia is restructuring its military and economy for a possible broader confrontation with the West while continuing its war in Ukraine.
Separate US intelligence assessments cited by the Journal suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin could launch a limited attack against a NATO member in the coming years to test the alliance’s willingness to respond collectively.
The warning echoes an assessment issued earlier this year by the Dutch defense ministry, which said Russia could begin a limited military campaign against a NATO country as soon as one year after the war in Ukraine ends.
Drones and Missiles Test NATO Defenses
Breuer’s warning comes amid a series of incidents involving unidentified aircraft and weapons near NATO territory.
German police recently defused an explosive-carrying drone found near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at an airport in eastern Germany.
Authorities are still investigating who operated the drone, and no connection to Russia has been established.
A Russian cruise missile also crashed in eastern Poland last month, around 60 miles (97 kilometers) from Ukraine.
Although it was likely intended for a target inside Ukraine, NATO officials reportedly suspect that Moscow has also used drones and missiles entering allied airspace to assess the alliance’s detection and response capabilities.
Germany Seeks a Larger European Defense Role
Germany sharply increased its defense spending following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and is now seeking a greater leadership role in European security.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Breuer’s assessment underpins Germany’s new military strategy, a declassified summary of which was published in April.
The plan prioritizes intelligence and surveillance, air defense, long-range weapons, and uncrewed platforms.
Moreover, the country pledged 35 billion euros ($41 billion) for military space capabilities by 2030, while it has reached an agreement with Washington to acquire Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Breuer said Germany would initially need to purchase readily available weapons to close urgent capability gaps, while supporting the expansion of Europe’s defense industry to reduce its longer-term dependence on foreign suppliers.
As part of its broader leadership push, Berlin is also strengthening military ties with NATO allies, including through an agreement signed with Poland in June covering interoperability, cybersecurity, and space.