A major European nation and member of NATO is drawing up plans to use some of nearly 580 bunkers which litter the country as a legacy of the Cold War and the Second World War.
Germany, which itself was occupied by the Soviets after 1945, has reportedly begun planning for Russian aggression in modern times spilling over from the war in Ukraine.
Berlin has been among the military and financial supporters of Kyiv since Putin’s invasion began in 2022, alongside the United States and Britain, and now political leaders are worried the nation may have fallen under Moscow’s sights.
The German interior ministry has gone so far as to officially announce it is looking at a list of bunkers the country could use to house civilians in the event of a full-scale war breaking out with Russia.
Possible suitable sites include dormant bunkers, as well as car parks, train stations and private and state buildings.
According to the Guardian, officials are also planning a phone app which could be used to help people convert existing basements and garages into protective shelters.
The newspaper said Germany has 579 bunkers left down from around 2,000 which had been operational during previous conflicts in history. It’s said around 480,000 people, out of a population of 84 million, could use the existing facilities.
Germany’s tabloid newspaper BILD first reported the plans on Monday, saying it was a response to a worsening international threat, particularly from Russia.
Russia has also been increasingly hostile towards Britain, with Kremlin propaganda pundits on nightly TV news shows often threatening the UK with Russia‘s nuclear arsenal.
And this week, it was announced Russia has barred Angela Rayner and other Cabinet ministers from entering the country after expelling a diplomat for alleged spying.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were among 30 UK citizens put on a “stop list” published by Russia‘s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which also included journalists and business leaders.
The ministry said the sanctions were in response to the UK’s “hostile actions”.
