German police investigate suspected sabotage at power stations near Cologne and Brandenburg
Bright flashes were reported at the Amprion substation in Bergheim near Cologne, leading to a short circuit that affected several lines but left the electricity supply unchanged. Earlier that day, a projectile struck a high‑voltage line near the Jänschwalde coal‑fired plant in Brandenburg, causing a brief outage. Police also responded to a tip about an unexploded incendiary device at a substation in Turnow‑Preilack, Brandenburg, which damaged multiple transmission lines but did not affect the overall grid. Interior ministers of the respective states have opened investigations, describing the incidents as anti‑constitutional sabotage and treating them as criminal acts, while no regional blackout occurred.
How this was covered
- The two sides describe this in almost entirely different words
- Right-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
Sabotage of energy sites threatens reliable power and highlights security gaps in Germany's critical infrastructure.
How this story developed
- Aug 14 Russia claims strikes on Ukrainian rail hub and vessels as drones hit Russian ports
- Sep 1 A device that failed to detonate was discovered at a power substation in Turnow-Preilack, Brandenburg, prompting a police response around 8 a.m. (0600 GMT). Grid operator 50Hertz reported damage to several lines but said the broader electricity supply remained unaffected after the brief cut. The Brandenburg state criminal police office has taken charge of the investigation, and officials emphasized that the public faced no danger.
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- Sep 2 Germany scheduled the Russian consulate in Bonn to close on Sept 18.
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- Sep 3 Norwegian authorities seized the Russian vessel Professor Molchanov in Svalbard after Russia failed to pay a $4.22 billion award to Ukraine’s Naftogaz for seized Crimean assets.
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- Sep 3 The CIA director made an unexpected trip to Moscow.
- Sep 3 Police discovered an unexploded incendiary device at a Brandenburg substation.
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- Sep 3 Putin highlighted fuel shortages and long queues caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian infrastructure.
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