Russia's hybrid attacks on Germany: When is it 'war?'

Key Points:

• On August 4, a drone with explosives was found near Ukrainian cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport, a key hub for military aid to Ukraine, in an attempted attack Germany attributes to Russia based on technical evidence.
• The German government has taken limited retaliatory measures, including closing the Russian House cultural institute in Berlin and the Russian Consulate General in Bonn, tightening entry requirements for Russian citizens, and planning actions against the Russian "shadow fleet," though details remain vague.
• Critics from Germany's Green Party and CDU call for stronger responses, such as tougher sanctions and military support for Ukraine, while concerns persist about provoking direct conflict with Russia, which denies involvement and threatens countermeasures.
• German officials emphasize that while Germany is not at war with Russia, it is a target of ongoing Russian hybrid warfare involving cyberattacks, espionage, and infrastructure threats, blurring lines between peace and conflict.
• The upcoming Saxony-Anhalt state election highlights domestic tensions, as the far-right AfD, which opposes military aid to Ukraine and favors closer ties with Russia, could gain power, complicating the federal government's stance and response to Russian aggression.