Germany Launches Bunker Plan Amid Rising Tensions with Russia

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Germany is ramping up its civil defense measures amid escalating tensions with Russia, announcing a comprehensive plan to inventory and enhance the availability of bunkers and shelters for its citizens. The initiative aims to catalog all potential refuge locations, including private properties like cellars and garages, as well as public spaces such as subway stations. A digital directory will be created to help citizens locate these shelters quickly using mobile devices. The plan, referred to as a 'bunker offensive' by the German daily Bild, reflects growing concerns about a potential Russian threat, particularly following recent aggressive statements from Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the Ukraine conflict. Currently, Germany has 579 bunkers, primarily from the World War II and Cold War eras, capable of accommodating 480,000 people. Since the onset of the Ukraine war in February 2022, the sale of these bunkers has been halted, with over 300 previously sold since 2005. The initiative was discussed in a senior officials' meeting in June, highlighting the urgency of the situation.