German army still has no remedy for suspicious drones over some bases

The German army, or Bundeswehr, is increasingly noticing unauthorized drone flights over their bases in Germany but has not found a way to eliminate the suspected espionage activities, reported dpa.

"The number of such incidents has increased in the recent past," a spokesman for the Bundeswehr's Territorial Command told dpa in response to an enquiry. He said there is increased vigilance among soldiers over possible spying attempts.

Some of the suspected spy activity is focused on the Bundeswehr's training of Ukrainian soldiers, the Military Counter-intelligence Service (MAD) said.

There is some suspicion, though no arrests have been made to date, that Russia is behind the drones, as the conspicuous flights were observed at the beginning and end of training sessions for Ukrainian soldiers.

Given that, it is "relatively clear in which direction it is going," MAD President Martina Rosenberg said last autumn.

Suspicious cases have been reported in Wildflecken in Bavaria, Grafenwoehr and Idar-Oberstein in Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as at the Altengrabow military training area in Saxony-Anhalt.

The reason no drone pilot has yet been arrested near a federal base may be due to jurisdiction issues between the army and the police, according to dpa information.

Bundeswehr members have jurisdiction over army properties, but any suspects apprehended would then be handed over to the police along with any drones seized, according to the Territorial Command.

Outside of Bundeswehr properties, however, the police are responsible for pursuing and, if necessary, arresting individuals.