Event 2910cd2e-f8d2-4dee-a31d-bfb1e32cdbc1

Approved event from Hybrid War Tracker

Status: Approved Confidence: High Classification: Energy & Infrastructure Attacks > Critical Infrastructure Sabotage > Power grids, pipelines Country: Germany Where: Land Tag: Stromversorgung Tag: Berlin Tag: Polizei Tag: Extremismus Tag: Arson Tag: Power outage Tag: Left-wing extremism Aggressor Confidence: High

Source: https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Linksextreme-Vulkangruppe-bekenn ...

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Event Time

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Created

✏️

Updated

Summary

Headline: Left-wing extremist group claims arson attack on Berlin power grid causing blackout

Short Summary: Left-wing extremist arson attack on Berlin's southwest power grid causes large blackout on January 4, 2026.

Extended Summary: A large-scale power outage occurred in southwest Berlin on January 4, 2026 after an arson attack on a cable bridge above the Teltow Canal feeding the Lichterfelde power plant. The left-wing extremist group 'Vulkangruppe' took responsibility, framing the attack as a politically motivated ecological protest. The blackout impacted roughly 45,000 households and over 2,200 businesses, with some 7,000 households and 150 commercial establishments regaining power in the following days. Repair work was complicated by the need to connect different cable types together at the damage site, requiring specialized technical expertise. Berlin authorities condemned the attack as reckless and dangerous to human safety. Full restoration was predicted by Thursday, January 9. The State Protection police unit verified the authenticity of the claim.

Description

On the early morning of January 4, 2026, a politically motivated arson attack was carried out targeting a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal feeding power from the Lichterfelde cogeneration plant, causing a major power outage affecting tens of thousands of private households and businesses throughout southwest Berlin. The left-wing extremist group 'Vulkangruppe' claimed responsibility, describing it as a 'communal action' with an ecological and solidarity motive. Initial estimates reported about 45,000 households and more than 2,200 companies without power, with partial reconnection by later. Full restoration was expected to take several days due to the complexity of the repairs involving different cable technologies at the site. Berlin politicians condemned the attack as unacceptable and dangerous.

Event Classification

Aggressor Event

Rationale

Classified as aggressor because the left-wing extremist Vulkangruppe claimed responsibility for a sabotage arson attack on critical energy infrastructure causing a major blackout in Berlin; no defense or preparatory measures by authorities or alliances are described in the content.

Evidence

Quotes

"We successfully sabotaged tonight the gas-powered plant in Berlin-Lichterfelde," the extremist group wrote in their statement attributed to the Vulkangruppe, assigned by the Berlin intelligence service to the anarchist spectrum.

"The attackers are clearly left-wing extremists," stated CDU politician Kai Wegner.

"It is unacceptable that left-wing extremists attack our power grid and thereby endanger human lives," Wegner said.

"It's a politically motivated attack," according to the left-wing extremist group's statement describing the action as an emergency measure and an act of international solidarity for protecting earth and life.

The blackout initially affected about 45,000 households and 2,200 companies; later about 7,000 households and 150 businesses could be reconnected.

A spokeswoman for Berlin Stromnetz explained the complexity of the repair, involving the connection of different cable technologies and special technical challenges requiring time and experts.

Source

https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Linksextreme-Vulkangruppe-bekennt-sich-zu-Brandanschlag-auf-Berliner-Stromnetz-id30201220.html