Politico and Welt: Germany plans to blame Russia for the Leipzig airport sabotage attempt and announce new sanctions

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to blame Russia for an attempted sabotage at Leipzig airport, where drones with explosives were discovered, according to reports from Politico and the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. The source cited by the outlets suggests the government will announce new sanctions against Moscow as part of the response.

Expelling individual Russian diplomats or closing the Russian House in Berlin is no longer deemed sufficient, with tougher steps needed, including harsher sanctions or more extensive arms deliveries to Ukraine. Germany is also preparing for a sharp response from Moscow, sources told Politico. Merz stated that those responsible for the Leipzig incident would be held accountable, though he did not point fingers.

The government has been collaborating with intelligence agencies to identify the culprits through "intensive" efforts. Multiple drones were involved in the sabotage, with the first drone discovered having explosives and a detonator attached, while a second drone collided with a DHL cargo plane. Investigators found about 50 grams of explosives near the second drone.