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German authorities have sealed off a significant military base in response to potential sabotage.

What’s the deal: The Cologne-Wahn military base in Germany was placed on lockdown after a hole was found in its perimeter fence, sparking concerns about potential water supply sabotage, as the breach was near a water facilities building. Authorities responded by sealing off the base and advising personnel to avoid drinking tap water while investigations into possible contamination got underway. The base plays a vital role for the German Air Force, overseeing the aircraft used by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other government ministers.

What government officials are saying: Ulrich Fonrobert, a military spokesman, said, “In addition, the barracks were closed because it could not be ruled out at the time that the person was still on the premises. We are taking this incident very seriously; police, military police, and military counterintelligence services (MAD) are investigating.” Despite a search, officials were unable to locate any intruders.

Digging Deeper: This follows warnings from Western countries about the potential for sabotage by Russia against NATO members. Over the past year, NATO and European nations have seen a rise in sabotage, cyberattacks, and other types of hybrid warfare.