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German military forces began five days of urban warfare training in Berlin, practising emergency deployment scenarios across the capital as Europe’s security landscape shifts following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Bundeswehr’s guard battalion launched the “Bollwerk Bärlin III” exercise on Sunday at multiple locations including Jungfernheide underground station, the Ruhleben police training ground and a former chemical plant site in Rüdersdorf.
The German army cited Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine as requiring enhanced defence preparedness.
The urban warfare exercise was needed as Berlin’s narrow streets, high-rise buildings and metro tunnels require specialised training for rapid deployment, according to military officials.
Snipers deploy in underground combat drills
Soldiers practised urban combat scenarios, securing critical infrastructure, countering saboteurs and evacuating wounded personnel. German forces also practised tunnel combat at Jungfernheide station in pre-dawn hours on Tuesday.
Security teams including snipers took positions during the drills, though blank ammunition replaced live rounds to ensure public safety.
“The guard battalion fulfils its core mission in Berlin in the event of defence,” the Bundeswehr said. “All activities are being carried out under strict security precautions and in coordination with Berlin authorities.”
Military vehicles transporting troops through the city may cause brief traffic disruptions, while public transport could face minor delays without full service suspensions, according to transport operator BVG.
Military exercise triggers friendly fire incident
Separately, the Marshal Power 2025 training exercise in Bavaria resulted in a soldier being shot in the face after police mistakenly opened fire during manoeuvres in Erding.
Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said officers responded to an emergency call and fired warning shots, prompting soldiers to return blank fire. Police then shot back with live ammunition, wounding one serviceman.
Prosecutors and state criminal police are investigating the incident, which occurred when police apparently believed the exercise had not yet begun.
The Bundeswehr described Marshal Power 2025 as one of its most complex domestic exercises, focusing on Germany’s national defence scenario.