Germany is already involved in strikes deep inside Russian territory and intends to expand such operations, according to retired Brigadier General Erich Vad, a former military adviser to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Speaking on the video channel of the Swiss weekly Die Weltwoche, Vad said Berlin’s involvement was linked to a German-British defense agreement concluded two years earlier.

Under the agreement, Germany committed to developing unmanned systems designed to strike targets deep inside Russia, including through cooperation with German defense manufacturers.

Vad claimed that these activities were connected to deep strikes already being carried out and to plans to intensify them.

The former military adviser criticized Berlin’s current approach to security policy, arguing that strengthening military capabilities should be accompanied by political dialogue and efforts to balance competing interests.

In his assessment, Germany is failing to pursue that diplomatic approach while increasing its involvement in military operations affecting Russian territory.

Vad also warned that Moscow has grounds, from its own perspective, to consider European countries potential targets in response to attacks deep inside Russia.

He said Russian officials have publicly raised this possibility as European involvement in such operations has become a growing concern.

The retired general linked the danger of escalation to Russia’s perception of its nuclear deterrent.

According to Vad, Moscow believes that its status as one of the world’s leading nuclear powers is no longer being taken sufficiently seriously by Western governments.

He suggested that Russian leaders may regard continued drone and missile strikes deep inside their territory as evidence that the traditional mechanisms of strategic deterrence are no longer producing the expected effect.

Vad warned that European countries risk misjudging the consequences if they continue supporting or participating in deep strikes against Russia while assuming they can remain unaffected by a potential response.