The German authorities announced this Monday, November 25, that they were in the process of listing bunkers and shelters where the population could take refuge in the event of an attack, wishing to increase their number, in a context of increasing tensions with Russia.
“All buildings, including private properties, that could serve as shelter, such as basements, garages and subway stations,” are being inventoried, said a spokesman for the German Interior Ministry, during a regular press conference in Berlin.
579 bunkers in Germany, dating back to World War II
“A digital directory of all bunkers will be created so that people can find them quickly through their mobile phones,” he added.
Citizens will also be encouraged to create shelters in their homes, converting their basements or garages, he continued.
The German newspaper Bild described this plan as a “bunker offensive” in a country increasingly worried about a possible Russian threat. The current inventory “will take time,” said the spokesman, who did not give a timetable.
Currently, Germany, which has a population of 83 million, has 579 bunkers, mostly from World War II and the Cold War, that can house 480,000 people.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, German authorities have banned the sale of fortified works in their possession. Since 2005, the State and its administrations have sold more than 300 bunkers. The key points of this shelter development program were adopted during a meeting between senior German officials in June.
Last Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin estimated that the conflict in Ukraine now had all the characteristics of a “world” war and warned that he did not rule out attacking Western countries, which reinforced concern among NATO members. particularly those close to Russia. like the Baltic countries, Poland, but also Germany.
These threats arose after Russia’s use in Ukrainian territory of an intermediate-range ballistic missile (up to 5,500 km), designed to carry a nuclear warhead.
Source: BFM TV
