Germany Plans Shelter Inventory Amid Rising Tensions with Russia
Authorities in Germany have announced that they are in the process of compiling a list of bunkers and shelters where the population could seek refuge in the event of an attack. This initiative aims to increase the number of available bunkers and shelters amid heightened tensions with Russia.
A spokesperson for the German Ministry of the Interior stated during a press conference that „all buildings — including private properties — that could be used as shelters, such as cellars, garages, and underground stations” are currently being surveyed. He added that a digital registry of all bunkers will be created, allowing people to easily locate them using their mobile phones.
Furthermore, citizens will be encouraged to establish shelters in their own homes by converting their cellars or garages. The German newspaper Bild has referred to this plan as an „offensive for bunkers,” reflecting the growing concern within the country regarding potential Russian threats.
The spokesperson noted that compiling the current inventory „will take time,” but did not provide a specific timeline. Germany, with a population of 83 million, currently has 579 bunkers, most of which date back to World War II and the Cold War, capable of accommodating 480,000 people.
Since the onset of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, German authorities have ceased the sale of fortified structures in their possession. Over 300 bunkers had been sold by the state and local governments since 2005.
Key points of this shelter development program were adopted during a meeting of high-ranking German officials in June. Last Thursday, Russian leader Vladimir Putin stated that the conflict in Ukraine now possesses „the characteristics of a world war” and warned that he does not rule out striking Western countries. This has raised concerns among NATO members, particularly those close to Russia, such as the Baltic states and Poland, as well as Germany. These threats followed Russia’s use of a medium-range ballistic missile (with a range of up to 5,500 km), designed to carry a nuclear warhead, on Ukrainian territory in response to Ukraine’s attacks on Russian soil using Western weaponry.
