Attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport blamed on Russia

Germany has concluded Russia was behind the drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month. An explosive drone was discovered near the Ukrainian cargo planes on August 4, though it failed to detonate due to a faulty detonator. Investigators suspect another drone may have collided with a cargo aircraft nearby. A third drone was later found near the airport.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt noted this attack in line with Russia's "well-established pattern of hybrid operations in Europe." German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul vowed to close the Russian consulate in Bonn and terminate the Russian House in Berlin, both suspected of espionage and propaganda. NATO chief Mark Rutte expressed solidarity with Germany, welcoming Germany's announced measures.

The EU foreign ministers were to discuss this issue later that day in Ireland. Germany, a NATO member, has reported drone sightings at various locations over the past year. Merkel's government has warned that Germany is a "daily target" of hybrid warfare. Chancellor Merz has promised harsh retribution for those who attack Germany, while his government is boosting intelligence services' powers to counter such threats.

This announcement comes at a sensitive time for Merz's government as a state election in Saxony-Anhalt could see the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) gain power for the first time, with the party opposing military support to Ukraine and seeking to normalize relations with Russia. German police are also probing a power substation explosion in eastern Brandenburg, causing a temporary outage, with the explosives' origin unknown.