Russian Saboteurs Burn Down Berlin Factory Mistaken for Weapons Supplier

A recent incident in Berlin saw a factory burned down by Russian saboteurs, who mistakenly targeted a facility producing car parts instead of weapons, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Fire at Diehl Metal Factory

In early May, a massive fire broke out at a factory owned by Diehl Metal in southwest Berlin. The fire prompted a response from around 200 firefighters, who worked tirelessly to contain the blaze. The factory, which primarily manufactures parts for cars and electrical systems, suffered significant damage during the incident.

Russian Sabotage Attempt

Recent reports suggest that the fire at the Diehl Metal factory was actually an arson attempt orchestrated by Russian saboteurs. The goal of the attack was to disrupt arms supplies to Ukraine, although the factory in question was not involved in weapons production. Despite intercepted communications implicating Russia in the incident, German authorities have refrained from directly blaming the country due to legal constraints.

Concerns of Russian Sabotage

The incident at the Diehl Metal factory has raised concerns about potential Russian sabotage attempts on civilian infrastructure and military installations in Europe. Similar incidents, including a warehouse fire in the UK and suspected sabotage at US military bases in Germany, have put European allies on high alert. NATO officials have acknowledged the need to address these threats and are working on a coordinated response.

International Response

US State Secretary Antony Blinken has emphasized the importance of monitoring and responding to Russia's hybrid attacks. He highlighted the need for collective action among NATO allies to counter such threats effectively. Meanwhile, both Diehl and the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry have yet to comment on the incident.

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By: mloh@businessinsider.com (Matthew Loh)
Title: Russian Saboteurs Burn Down Berlin Factory Mistaken for Weapons Supplier
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/russian-sabotage-germany-factory-weapons-car-parts-ukraine-diehl-2024-6
Published Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2024 07:05:27 +0000