Left Wing Extremist Arson Attack Disrupts Power to Tens of Thousands in Berlin
Source: The Irish Times
Executive Summary
A deliberate arson attack on critical power infrastructure in southwest Berlin caused widespread electricity and heating outages affecting up to 45,000 homes and thousands of businesses during freezing winter conditions. German authorities assess the incident as politically motivated sabotage carried out by a known left wing extremist group, underscoring growing vulnerability of energy infrastructure to low capability but high impact attacks.
Analysis
German officials assess the Berlin power outage as a targeted act of extremist sabotage designed to cause maximum civilian disruption with limited technical effort. The incident reflects a broader pattern of left wing attacks on infrastructure framed as resistance to capitalism, climate policy, and technological development.
On January 3, multiple high voltage power cables near the Lichterfelde power and heating plant were set on fire, cutting electricity to roughly 45,000 households and more than 2,000 businesses in several southwest Berlin districts.
Repairs are expected to take several days due to extensive cable damage, frozen ground, and the need to lay new underground lines, leaving tens of thousands without power or heat until at least Thursday.
German police deployed around 160 officers and opened an arson investigation, warning residents to seek shelter elsewhere if possible and conserve phone battery power amid mobile network disruptions.
On January 4, a group calling itself the Volcano Group publicly claimed responsibility, stating the attack was intended to “cut the juice to the ruling class” and protest fossil fuel use, artificial intelligence, and energy consumption.
The affected area includes hospitals, elderly care facilities, public transport systems, and residential high rises reliant on electric elevators, significantly increasing risk to vulnerable populations. Authorities noted similarities to a September 2025 arson attack that caused Berlin’s longest blackout since World War II, as well as a 2024 sabotage incident at the Tesla gigafactory near Berlin, both linked to the same group.
German security services classify the Volcano Group as a left wing extremist organization with a history of targeting infrastructure for its “palpable effects on the population,” showing limited concern for collateral harm. Initial speculation about foreign sabotage, including Russian involvement, was ruled out after the group’s detailed claim of responsibility was deemed credible by investigators.
