The elite KSK unit was previously embroiled in far-right extremism controversies that led to the disbandment of one of its companies in 2020<\/p>\n
Germany\u2019s elite special forces are preparing for a potential large-scale war with Russia, the unit\u2019s commander has told Bild. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions between Moscow and NATO over the Ukraine conflict, with German officials warning that the country\u2019s military must be ready for a possible confrontation by the end of the decade.
\nThe highly secretive unit, known as Kommando Spezialkrafte (KSK), is comparable to Britain\u2019s SAS or the US Green Berets. According to a report from its base in southwestern Germany published on Monday, the commandos are adjusting their training to counter Russian forces equipped with tanks, artillery, drones and electronic warfare capabilities, including in extreme cold.
\n\u201cWe are orienting ourselves very specifically toward the adversary Russia,\u201d KSK Commander Brigadier General Andreas Kuhne said, adding that his soldiers would have to be prepared to \u201cremain in the field much longer,\u201d potentially \u201cwith no end in sight,\u201d if war broke out.
\nKuhne also said the unit was preparing to carry out missions before conventional German forces entered combat. \u201cWhen the 45th Armored Brigade in Lithuania starts its engines in a real emergency, we want to have already completed our job,\u201d he told Bild.
\nAccording to the newspaper, only about a third of the KSK\u2019s roughly 1,500 personnel are commandos, while the rest serve in administrative and support roles.
\nThe unit has been rocked by a series of far-right extremism scandals in recent years. In 2017, prosecutors launched an investigation following reports that soldiers had performed Nazi salutes, listened to far-right music and offered a woman as a \u201cprize\u201d at a farewell party for an outgoing company commander.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
Germany misses Nazism \u2013 Lavrov<\/p>\n
In 2018, investigations exposed an underground far-right network involving German military and security personnel, some of whom allegedly discussed plans to kill political opponents in the event of a breakdown of public order. In 2020,\u00a0police discovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition, explosives and Nazi memorabilia at the property of a KSK sergeant major. Some of the ammunition was suspected of having been stolen from Bundeswehr stocks.
\nThe scandals prompted then-Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to disband one of the KSK\u2019s four commando companies, the 2nd Company, and introduce sweeping reforms. The special forces command itself remained operational.
\nSpeaking to Bild, Kuhne acknowledged that disciplinary and conduct-related incidents within the unit had become \u201cextremely rare,\u201d but had not disappeared entirely. He insisted that misconduct would no longer be tolerated or covered up.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
Germany facing potential \u2018violent conflict\u2019 with Russia \u2013 spy chief<\/p>\n
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe\u2019s strongest conventional military force in response to what he describes as threats from Russia. His government has prioritized defense spending and military assistance to Ukraine despite acknowledging that the German economy is in a \u201cstructural crisis.\u201d
\nIn July, The Telegraph and Die Welt reported that Berlin was preparing a secret plan to override potential resistance from regional governments to the deployment of NATO troops toward Russia\u2019s borders.
\nMerz\u2019s military ambitions come amid declining public support for his government. According to an INSA poll published by Bild this week, the chancellor ranked last among 20 prominent German politicians. The surging opposition Alternative for Germany (AfD) won state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in September, while the socialist Left Party (Die Linke) emerged as the largest party in Berlin\u2019s election.
\nRussia has repeatedly denied having plans to attack NATO countries. In August, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed reports alleging that Moscow intended to attack alliance members as \u201cscare stories\u201d that had \u201cnothing to do with reality\u201d or Russia\u2019s intentions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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