Russia has been accused of a sabotage mission on a German warship. (Image: Getty)
German police are investigating a potential sabotage after was accused of interfering with one of its warships.
During a routine inspection of the Emden, several dozen kilograms of metal shavings were found in its engine system, German outlet Sueddeutsche Zeitung said on Tuesday.
The corvette-class warship was designed for operations in the Baltic Sea, dubbed the Lake, but never got to undertake its maiden voyage due to the suspected sabotage.
Jan Christian Kaack, vice admiral of the German navy, warned and there could be more “active military activities” in the future.
He said: “We are being tested. They are , both nationally and in alliances.
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The German Emden ship was the victim of an alleged sabotage attack. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
“The growing threat from is more urgent at the beginning of 2025 than it was two years ago. Experts and intelligence agencies agree that will be able to seek a conflict with NATO from 2029.”
The Emden was described as a key asset in protecting NATO’s northern flank by Vice Admiral Frank Lenski during its christening ceremony in 2023.
He warned that ‘s maritime military force had gained strength during the nearly three-year-long war in .
The incident is now being investigated by Hamburg’s regional prosecutor’s office and local police, putting Germany on high alert to attacks that don’t use traditional military tactics –
The NATO ally has already investigated drone sightings over an air base this month, the latest in a series of incidents near military and industrial sites.
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The Baltic Sea has also been the site of multiple suspected sabotage attacks recently, most notably by the Eagle S ship.
The -linked tanker is suspected to have damaged an undersea electricity cable on Christmas Day and to have dropped sensors in the English Channel.
Finnish Special Forces seized the Eagle S after it allegedly dragged its anchor to disrupt electricity supplies between Finland and Estonia, marking the first time a commercial ship suspected of sabotage has been taken into custody by authorities.