Germany blames Russia for attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport, shuts consulate
Germany has formally blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August and announced a series of measures against Russian diplomatic and other interests in response.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said findings by German security agencies and European partners “clearly point to Russian involvement,” according to Tagesschau.
Investigators recovered a drone configuration, explosives and detonation technology at the scene that were known from previous Russian hybrid operations and Russia’s war against Ukraine, Dobrindt said.
He described the technology used in the operation and the way its individual elements were combined as professional, indicating a high level of technical expertise and considerable organizational effort in planning and carrying out the attempted attack. Its execution, however, was attributed to “low-level agents,” he said.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany was not at war with Russia but had become a Russian “war target,” warning that Berlin expected further attacks.
“Our message to the Russian leadership is clear: We will not allow Russian attacks to divide our society or intimidate us,” Wadephul said.
In response, Germany summoned the Russian ambassador and ordered Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn to close on Sept. 18, leaving the Russian Embassy in Berlin as Moscow’s only diplomatic mission in the country.
Berlin will also terminate an agreement concerning the Russian House cultural center in the German capital and further tighten entry checks for Russian citizens. The government also plans to push for EU sanctions against additional Russian individuals and increase pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet.
What happened in Leipzig?
On the evening of Aug. 4, an explosive-laden drone was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport, a major logistics hub for military aid shipments to Ukraine. Several Ukrainian cargo aircraft were nearby.
German authorities said the evidence gathered at the scene and information from European partners pointed to Russian involvement in the attempted attack.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed support for Germany following Berlin’s announcement.
Rutte said NATO would defend its members against “any threat,” while von der Leyen said the EU stood “fully” with Germany amid what she described as increasingly frequent serious incidents.
Russia denied involvement and threatened to respond to Germany’s measures. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called the allegations a “far-fetched and fabricated pretext” for escalating tensions, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Germany of pursuing further escalation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin later claimed Germany had fabricated evidence and said the accusations against Moscow were driven by Germany’s domestic political situation.