**Title: German Police Investigate Second Sabotage Attempt on Electricity Grid Amid Rising Tensions**
**Source: Cyprus Mail**
German authorities are currently investigating a second incident of sabotage targeting the electricity grid within a span of just 24 hours. This follows a recent accusation from Berlin, which has blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack on a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle airport. The timing of these events is particularly sensitive, as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which advocates for closer ties with Moscow, is leading in opinion polls ahead of a state election this weekend.
On Tuesday, local police reported an act of "premeditated vandalism" at a power substation near Bergheim, located in western Germany. The incident occurred at approximately 1800 GMT, although authorities have not disclosed the extent of the damage. Fortunately, they confirmed that the region's power supply remained unaffected. Electricity grid operator Amprion, which is primarily owned by RWE, Germany's largest power producer, indicated that the incident was likely caused by external interference. Despite the disruption, power supply and grid stability were maintained throughout the event.
In a related incident on the same day, devices carrying conductive material were used to damage power lines at a critical high-voltage node in Brandenburg, a state in eastern Germany. Jan Redmann, the state’s interior minister, noted that there appeared to be similarities between the two attacks, although investigations are still in the early stages. He mentioned that while there are differences compared to a 2024 arson attack by far-left extremists on the power supply of Tesla's plant, no suspects have been ruled out.
The recent sabotage attempts come at a time when Germany is on high alert for potential attacks on its vital infrastructure. This heightened vigilance follows the government’s conclusion that Russia was responsible for the drone attack at the airport, which European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described as bearing the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism. Moscow has denied these accusations, asserting that there is no evidence linking it to the attack.
Alexander Throm, the head of the German parliament's domestic affairs committee, expressed concern over the timing of these disruptive incidents, particularly with the upcoming election in Saxony-Anhalt. Opinion polls suggest that the AfD, known for its anti-immigrant stance and strong support in eastern Germany, could potentially gain power at the state level for the first time. The party has called for an end to Germany's support for Ukraine and a return to energy agreements with Russia that previously provided Germany with affordable oil and gas until supplies were cut off following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Leonhard Birnbaum, CEO of E.ON, Europe’s largest network operator, commented last month that achieving full protection of grid infrastructure is unrealistic. He emphasized that while operators can implement measures to make it more challenging for potential perpetrators, completely avoiding attacks is not feasible. In light of the recent incidents, Redmann has called for enhanced protection of energy supply facilities, noting that discussions had recently shifted focus from airport security back to safeguarding energy infrastructure.
As investigations continue, the German government remains vigilant, aware that the stability of its energy supply is crucial not only for the economy but also for national security in the face of rising geopolitical tensions. The outcomes of these investigations may have significant implications for public sentiment and political dynamics, particularly with the AfD on the rise ahead of the state election.