Germany has accused Russia of being behind a drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month, saying the incident followed a pattern of Russian hybrid operations across Europe.
A drone carrying an explosive device was discovered at the airport in eastern Germany on August 4, near Ukrainian cargo planes.
The device failed to detonate, apparently because of a faulty detonator. Investigators also suspect that a second drone collided with a cargo aircraft nearby, while a third drone was reportedly discovered close to the airport 10 days later.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the attack followed what he described as the “well-established pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe.”
Dobrindt said an examination of the equipment used in the incident, combined with intelligence findings, had established Russian involvement. He warned that Germany could face similar attacks again.
Until now, Berlin had avoided directly identifying those responsible for the Leipzig incident, saying only that foreign powers could have been involved. US media had previously reported that American officials had linked the incident to Russia.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who appeared alongside Dobrindt at a press conference in Berlin, announced several measures in response to the alleged Russian involvement.
Wadephul said Germany would close the Russian consulate in Bonn and terminate the contract for the Russian House in Berlin, which critics have accused of being used for espionage and spreading Russian propaganda.
He also announced tighter entry controls for Russian nationals and said Germany would increase pressure on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of ageing tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions imposed following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Wadephul said he had summoned Russia’s ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev, who was seen arriving at the German Foreign Ministry shortly after the announcement.
Russia rejected the German accusations and threatened to respond to Berlin’s measures. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, said Moscow would respond in a “mirror-image” manner.
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She accused Berlin of “sponsoring terrorism” in reference to Germany’s military and economic support for Ukraine.
There had previously been speculation that the Goethe-Institut in Moscow could face closure if Germany proceeded with measures against Russian institutions.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed support for Germany’s response, saying the alliance stood in full solidarity with Berlin.
“The evidence is clear. And I welcome the measures announced by Germany in response,” Rutte wrote on X. The issue was also expected to be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc remained united against Russian aggression and was preparing additional sanctions against Moscow. She said the EU would act to deter attempts to undermine European freedom and security.
Leipzig/Halle Airport is an important logistics hub in eastern Germany. It is used by the German military and NATO allies to transport military goods and also serves as a base for Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines, which handles much of the country’s air cargo.
The airport’s links to military logistics and Ukrainian cargo have raised concerns about possible Russian interest in the facility.
Germany is among several NATO member states that have reported suspicious drone sightings near airports, military facilities and industrial sites over the past year.
Berlin has described Germany as a daily target of hybrid warfare, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently warned that those responsible for hostile actions against Germany would “pay a price.”
His government is also seeking to strengthen the powers of German intelligence agencies to respond more effectively to emerging security threats.
The accusations come at a sensitive political moment for Merz’s government. A state election in Saxony-Anhalt could potentially see the far-right Alternative für Deutschland, AfD, take power at state level for the first time.
The AfD, Germany’s largest opposition party, has called for an end to military support for Ukraine and a restoration of closer ties with Russia.
Separately, German police said they were investigating the discovery of improvised explosive and incendiary devices at a power substation in the eastern state of Brandenburg on Tuesday. A power line was damaged, resulting in a temporary power outage.
Authorities have not identified who planted the devices or established whether the incident was connected to the Leipzig airport attack.
BBC
