His statement follows earlier incidents, reported by The Wall Street Journal, at DHL logistics hubs in Leipzig and Birmingham, involving unconventional incendiary devices, which were linked to broader Russian sabotage efforts.
European intelligence agencies suspect these actions are part of a larger strategy by Russia to disrupt critical infrastructure and test Western defenses.
"We encountered a similar situation earlier this year, and now something has occurred that fits this pattern," Breuer said, suggesting that the Kremlin might be "checking vulnerabilities."
Breuer described the situation created by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin as "neither full peace nor open war," aimed at testing how far boundaries can be pushed.
Breuer also highlighted Europe’s defense challenges, noting that NATO’s five largest European members collectively produce far fewer tanks annually than Russia.
He emphasized that Europe, and especially Germany, must take greater responsibility for its defense, as U.S. support under leaders like Donald Trump could be uncertain.
The investigation into the crash continues, with Lithuanian authorities analyzing the plane’s flight recorders and voice data to determine the cause. German, Spanish, and U.S. experts are expected to join the inquiry.
The crash, involving a Swift Air plane chartered by DHL en route from Leipzig, occurred near a residential area in Vilnius. Four people were onboard; two were injured, one died, and one survived with minor injuries. Lithuanian officials have initially attributed the crash to technical issues.