Attacks on two German substations – investigators examine Russian connection
Suspected acts of sabotage were carried out at two German substations. Authorities are investigating on suspicion of forming a terrorist organisation.
Homemade rockets on Jänschwalde coal-fired power station – police investigating on suspicion of terrorism
As Google News CH — Crime (de) reports, several suspicious objects were found on Tuesday at a substation of the Jänschwalde coal-fired power station near the Polish border. According to the Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung, these are devices for explosives-equipped rockets; Bild reports homemade pyrotechnic rockets.
A spokesman for the operating company explained to Focus: "According to current findings, the attempted property damage was caused by homemade flying objects that resemble commercially available New Year's Eve rockets." Additionally, further flying objects that had not yet been launched were secured on site.
An eyewitness described to the news portal seeing a rocket in the forest – "approximately 40 centimetres high and colourful". Brandenburg's Interior Minister Jan Redmann made clear: "Those were certainly not New Year's Eve rockets. However, it was not specialist knowledge, but something in between." What exactly happened is still being investigated.
According to the Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung, the substation is to have been hit by such a flying object at least once. The police confirmed no "rocket attack" in the literal sense, but at least one detonation as well as possible damage to a line. Power plant operator Leag speaks of an attack.
Second incident near Cologne – five power plant units taken offline
On Tuesday evening, there apparently was also a sabotage operation at a facility of energy suppliers RWE and Amprion in Bergheim near Cologne, at another substation. As broadcaster WDR reported, five RWE coal-fired power plant units subsequently had to be taken offline.
Terrorism investigations and indications of Russian involvement
The Potsdam Police Directorate announced on Wednesday that it is now also investigating on suspicion of forming a terrorist organisation. Additional investigative lines concern suspicion of disruption of public services, causing an explosives detonation, and destruction of important work equipment.
It remains unclear whether drones were used in the attacks – this possibility is being actively investigated by authorities according to reports. A far-left extremist background is considered rather unlikely by investigators dealing with the Cologne incident, according to Focus. A senior investigator explained to the news portal that a coordinated operation by so-called low-level agents on Russian orders is considered possible. Russian investigators are additionally examining a common modus operandi in both incidents.
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)