Berlin power grid attack: police find no leads as Volcano Group claims disputed

Investigators in Germany have made no significant progress in identifying the perpetrators of the January 3 sabotage that caused a major blackout in Berlin, affecting approximately 100,000 residents. Despite a claim of responsibility from the far-left Volcano Group, police cite an absence of forensic evidence and the attackers' high level of operational skill as major obstacles to the case.

Professional Execution Hinders Investigation

Security experts and officials characterize the attack on the Lichterfelde power plant's cables as a professionally planned and executed operation. Terrorism analyst Felix Neumann noted the likely involvement of individuals with specific technical knowledge of critical infrastructure, who conduct long-term reconnaissance and meticulously avoid leaving traces. Police confirm the scene yielded no fingerprints, DNA, or usable digital footprints, as the attackers reportedly operated without mobile phones and evaded security cameras.

Conflicting Claims and Political Controversy

The investigation is further complicated by conflicting communications. German authorities assessed the Volcano Group's initial claim as credible. However, a subsequent statement published on a far-left portal disputed the group's involvement, calling into question the authenticity of all claims. A separate Volcano Group communique also dismissed political speculation linking the sabotage to Russian intelligence, a theory Berlin police say their evidence does not support. Germany's domestic intelligence agency believes the group's core claim is authentic, describing it as a violence-oriented anarchist network active since 2011.

Context of the Attack and Ongoing Impact

The sabotage resulted in one of Berlin's longest post-war blackouts, leaving southwestern districts without power and heat for days in winter. The federal prosecutor has opened a terrorism investigation. While power has been restored, the case remains a high-profile security and political challenge, underscored by the death of an 83-year-old woman during the outage, the exact causes of which are still under examination.