The key facts

  • KSK commander Andreas Kühne said training is oriented toward “an adversary in the form of Russia”
  • Previously operations lasted about three days; now soldiers stay in the field longer and train to operate in extreme cold
  • The KSK must begin operating before the Bundeswehr; its soldiers can deploy from Stuttgart within four hours

Statement by the KSK commander

Germany's Special Operations Command (KSK) has begun preparing for a potential war with Russia. This was reported by the unit's commander, Brigadier General Andreas Kühne, whose remarks were cited by the German publication Das Bild. “We are oriented toward an adversary in the form of Russia,” he said.

What is changing in training

According to Kühne, the nature of the special forces' training has changed noticeably. Whereas unit operations used to last about three days, the soldiers now remain in the field for much longer. During exercises they face tanks, artillery, drones and electronic warfare systems, and they also learn to operate in extreme cold — a set of requirements that matches the scenario of a conflict on the Eastern European theater.

The unit's role

Kühne emphasized that the KSK must begin operating before the Bundeswehr: its soldiers are able to deploy from Stuttgart within four hours. The unit was established in 1996 and is based at the Zeppelin barracks in the state of Baden-Württemberg; it numbers about 1,500 personnel. After two to three years of training, the special forces soldiers conduct reconnaissance deep behind enemy lines, counter-terrorism operations, hostage rescue and evacuation, sabotage activities, and work in crisis regions.