Scandal-hit German special forces prepare for war with Russia – commander

The elite KSK unit was previously embroiled in far-right extremism controversies that led to the disbandment of one of its companies in 2020. Germany's special forces are now preparing for a potential large-scale war with Russia, according to the unit's commander, who told Bild that the military must be ready for a possible confrontation by the end of the decade.

Training Adjustment

The highly secretive Kommando Spezialkrafte (KSK), comparable to Britain's SAS or the US Green Berets, is adjusting its training to counter Russian forces equipped with tanks, artillery, drones and electronic warfare capabilities, including in extreme cold conditions.

Preparations for Conflict

Kuhne revealed that the unit is preparing to carry out missions before conventional German forces enter combat. When the 45th Armored Brigade in Lithuania starts its engines in a real emergency, the KSK wants to have already completed its job, he told Bild.

According to the newspaper, only about a third of the KSK's roughly 1,500 personnel are commandos, while the rest serve in administrative and support roles.

Historical Scandals

The unit has been rocked by a series of far-right extremism scandals in recent years. In 2017, prosecutors launched an investigation following reports of Nazi salutes and far-right activities. In 2018, an underground far-right network was exposed, with some members allegedly discussing plans to kill political opponents.

In 2020, police discovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition, explosives and Nazi memorabilia at the property of a KSK sergeant major. Some ammunition was suspected of having been stolen from Bundeswehr stocks.

These scandals prompted then-Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to disband one of the KSK's four commando companies, the 2nd Company, and introduce sweeping reforms.

Current Situation

Kuhne acknowledged that disciplinary and conduct-related incidents within the unit had become 'extremely rare,' but had not disappeared entirely. He insisted that misconduct would no longer be tolerated or covered up.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe's strongest conventional military force in response to what he describes as threats from Russia. His government has prioritized defense spending and military assistance to Ukraine despite acknowledging that the German economy is in a 'structural crisis.'

Russia has repeatedly denied having plans to attack NATO countries, dismissing reports of such intentions as 'scare stories' that had 'nothing to do with reality' or Russia's intentions.