German Army Barracks Sealed Off Amid Sabotage Investigation

Lt. Col. Ulrich Fonrobert speaks to reporters outside Wahn barracks in Cologne, Germany, on Aug. 14, 2024. (Roberto Pfeil/DPA via AP)

A military barracks in Germany has been sealed off as investigators examine reports of unauthorized entry and possible sabotage of the water supply.

Germany’s defense ministry said the Wahn barracks outside the western city of Cologne had been locked down on Aug. 14. Speaking outside the barracks, military spokesman Ulrich Fonrobert said it had been closed off after an incident on the night of Aug. 13.

The Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, was taking the matter “very seriously,” although Fonrobert wouldn’t give any more detail about the probe. He said the barracks was due to reopen later on Aug. 14.

The Bundeswehr employs 260,000 men and women and has recently been involved in training Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the front line against Russia.

Wahn barracks serves the military part of Cologne/Bonn Airport, where a fleet of aircraft used to ferry around Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his ministers is based.

Military spokesperson Ulrich Fonrobert said a hole had been found in a fence and officials couldn’t rule out contamination.

Der Spiegel reported that 4,300 soldiers and 1,200 civilian workers at the Wahn barracks had been advised not to drink tap water.

It said the drinking water may have been contaminated after someone forced entry into the base.

Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that a NATO support base in nearby Geilenkirchen had also been sealed off.

The defense ministry in Berlin and the military intelligence agency MAD weren’t available for comment.

Suspicion of Russia

President Vladimir Putin is at loggerheads with Germany and the rest of NATO for their support of Ukraine’s armed forces.

In February 2022 Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine. Despite occupying territory in the southeast of the country, Russia has suffered heavy casualties and has been unable to make a breakthrough.

In the past few days, dozens of Russian troops have been killed or captured by Ukrainian forces who carried out a surprise incursion across the border near the city of Kursk.

On its website, the German government states that it has committed 28 billion euros ($31 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine.

Germany has provided 58 Leopard main battle tanks, 120 Marder fighting vehicles, 66 armored personnel carriers, three Patriot air defense systems, hundreds of drones, and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition.

In September 2022, explosive devices were detonated on the Nord Stream pipeline, which carried Russian gas to Germany. Russia denied involvement and accused the United Kingdom of destroying the pipeline.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.