Russia’s foreign intelligence service, the SVR, has accused Germany of operating a covert nuclear weapons program, claiming Berlin could produce a working atomic device within a year. In a statement released Monday, the SVR asserted that a network of German research centers and defense contractors are engaged in specialized nuclear and shockwave physics projects, bearing what NATO allies consider the hallmarks of a weapons program.
According to the SVR, at least one NATO government has expressed concern over Germany’s research focus, which includes high-energy explosives and electronic detonation systems. The agency claims that German universities, including the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and RWTH Aachen, are conducting practical experiments on research reactors. NATO experts reportedly believe Germany could produce fissile material in one to three months and assemble a nuclear device within a year without testing.
Germany is a non-nuclear state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but hosts American B61 tactical nuclear bombs under NATO’s sharing program. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has recently announced German participation in nuclear exercises with France, a historic first. The SVR views these developments as alarming given Germany’s militaristic past and Merz’s ambition to build Europe’s strongest conventional army.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow is monitoring Europe’s militarization and will respond if necessary. The claims have not been independently verified, and Germany has not commented on the allegations.
Article and image source: russiaherald.com
