**German Intelligence Warns of Rising Russian Sabotage and Potential NATO Confrontation**

Germany's intelligence services are sounding alarms over escalating espionage and sabotage activities driven by Russia, with significant implications for the security of NATO allies.

Bruno Kahl, head of Germany's foreign intelligence agency Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), addressed the Bundestag on Monday, expressing concerns about the increasing threat posed by Russia. Kahl indicated that by 2030, Russia might be capable of launching attacks against NATO countries. He emphasized that Russia's current strategy appears focused on weakening Western support for Ukraine through intensified sabotage efforts within nations like Germany.

"Whether we like it or not, we are in a direct confrontation with Russia," Kahl remarked to German lawmakers. He highlighted President Vladimir Putin's objective to undermine Western unity and suggested that the prospect of a military clash with NATO is growing more conceivable.

Thomas Haldenwang, chief of Germany's domestic intelligence agency Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV), supported Kahl's statements by detailing the heightened Russian espionage and sabotage activities within Germany. Haldenwang cited specific incidents, such as a July event where a package intended for a DHL cargo plane ignited at Leipzig airport, narrowly avoiding a potentially catastrophic crash if it had exploded mid-flight.

Martina Rosenberg, head of Germany's military intelligence agency Militärischer Abschirmdienst (MAD), also briefed the Bundestag, noting a "significant increase" in Russian-linked espionage targeting German military operations and armament activities, including exploring arms shipments to Ukraine and monitoring training sessions.

While espionage concerns rise in Germany, the conflict in Ukraine continues to cause casualties. Oleksandr Prokudin, head of Kherson's regional military administration, reported two elderly women were killed and another woman injured in artillery attacks by Russian forces on Kherson's Dniprovskyi district.

In his evening address on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that detailed plans for a "Victory Plan" would be shared this week. This strategy aims to pressure Russia into ending the war on terms favorable to Ukraine, potentially including the use of long-range Western-made missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. Zelensky is expected to present this plan to Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on Wednesday, October 16.