Germany spots suspicious drones over training base

This was reported by Spiegel.

The German military is investigating repeated sightings of unidentified drones over a base in Schleswig, where Ukrainian soldiers are being trained. According to an internal report cited by Süddeutsche Zeitung and later referenced by Europäische Wahrheit, the drones were spotted six times in January alone. Despite using specialized jamming devices, the German army was unable to force the drones to land or locate their operators.

The base, located on the North Sea, is considered a high-security zone, not only because German soldiers are undergoing Patriot air defense system training there, but also because Ukrainian troops have been trained on the system in recent months. The German military suspects that the drones were monitoring the base in relation to the Patriot training sessions, and Russian intelligence services are the prime suspects behind these incidents.

The sightings of drones have become a concerning routine for the German army, especially since the training of Ukrainian soldiers began. Drones have appeared several times over relevant bases, and there have also been instances of vehicles with diplomatic plates from the Russian Embassy in Berlin being seen near the gates.

A senior German army general recently remarked, "Sometimes it feels like the enemy wants us to see them attempting to spy."

This latest incident is particularly concerning, as Germany's defensive measures failed. According to the internal report, multiple counter-drone systems, including the HP47 system designed to target drones and cause their destruction via jamming signals, were unsuccessful. Two additional defensive systems also proved ineffective.

This raises questions about whether the Bundeswehr is adequately equipped to address the growing threat posed by drones. These UAVs are regularly spotted over military barracks and industrial parks, with experts attributing the activity to Russian operations and noting concerns over Germany's lack of preparedness.

• On Saturday, February 8, Ukrainian soldiers shared how the invading Russian forces, supported by North Korean troops, launched another assault in the Kursk region.