Germany Prepares War Shelters Amid Fears of Russian Attack in Europe

Germany is rapidly expanding its bomb-resistant shelter network amid fears of a potential Russian attack within the next four years, according to a senior government official for civil protection. Ralph Tiesler, head of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), stated that Germany must awaken to the reality of conflicts and acknowledged the country is not adequately prepared if Russia were to launch an offensive. For a long time, there was a widespread belief in Germany that war was not a scenario requiring preparation. However, this has changed, as officials now worry about the risk of a large-scale war in Europe. Tiesler called for national efforts to identify and convert tunnels, subway stations, underground garages, parking lots, and public buildings into protective shelters to quickly accommodate one million people. He noted that constructing new shelters would be too costly and time-consuming, emphasizing the need to assess existing structures immediately. Out of approximately 2,000 shelters left over from the Cold War, only around 580 are operational, capable of protecting roughly 480,000 individuals—just half a percent of Germany’s population. In comparison, Finland boasts 50,000 shelters covering nearly 85% of its population. Tiesler also urged improvements in warning systems, including apps and road signs, and better cybersecurity measures against hackers. The government under Friedrich Merz has agreed on the necessity of these plans but has yet to allocate formal funding. Funds are expected from billions freed by suspending Germany’s debt brake in March, allowing significant spending on defense, critical infrastructure, and civilian defense. Intelligence services and cybersecurity structures also compete for these funds. Tiesler estimated at least €10 billion will be needed over the next four years and €30 billion in the next decade for civil defense. He also advocated for mandatory or voluntary civil protection services and encouraged citizens to store emergency supplies in case of energy and water shortages. ‘Our call is: Gather enough supplies to last 10 days if possible,’ he said, echoing similar appeals from other European governments. Meanwhile, Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has heightened fears among Baltic states, Poland, and Germany that Moscow could open new fronts in Europe. Recently, Russian forces launched missile and bombing strikes on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, resulting in three deaths and 22 injuries.