Tonight: The German armed forces are training for urban warfare in Berlin
The German armed forces have begun an intensive five-day training in Berlin to simulate urban warfare, using subway tunnels, narrow streets, and industrial sites to represent a real emergency situation in the capital.
The exercise 'Bollwerk Bärlin III' takes place from November 17 to 21, placing the army guard battalion in realistic environments within the city. Training locations include the Jungfernheide subway station, police training grounds in Ruhleben, as well as the former Rüdersdorf chemical plant. The army emphasizes that Berlin's complex urban nature makes this type of training essential for effective response in the event of a crisis.
According to the Bundeswehr, the battalion must be able to defend the capital in the event of an attack, which is why parts of the exercise are deliberately conducted in public places. Soldiers are trained in street fighting, securing vital sites, dealing with saboteurs, and evacuating the wounded. A large underground operation is also carried out in the early hours of November 19, including maneuvers inside tunnels, securing roads, and positioning snipers—without using live ammunition.
The army says that these maneuvers are a response to the changing security landscape due to the Russian war against Ukraine, which has brought national and collective defense to the forefront. It emphasizes that all activities are coordinated with the authorities in Berlin and are subject to strict security measures.
Residents can expect temporary traffic disruptions as military vehicles move within the city. The BVG transport authority indicates that some delays or diversions may occur, but it does not anticipate a complete shutdown of public transport.
In a separate incident in Bavaria, a military training exercise in the city of Erding escalated into a shooting exchange after police fired warning shots, believing the exercise had not yet begun. The soldiers responded with blank shots, prompting officers to open fire and injure a soldier. Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann confirmed that the public prosecutor's office and the criminal police are investigating the incident.