Germany blames Russia for last month’s attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport

Germany has blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month, according to the German government's announcement on Tuesday. The attack involved a drone carrying explosives near a Ukrainian plane, which was defused. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that the evidence pointed to a high degree of technical expertise and painstaking planning, suggesting involvement of Russian state entities.

Russian Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced that the Russian consulate in Bonn would close on September 18, along with the Russian House cultural center in Berlin. Germany plans to add more Russian individuals to EU sanctions lists, increase entry controls for Russian nationals, and pressure the "shadow fleet" of oil tankers violating sanctions. Russia has denied involvement, calling the allegations a pretext for Berlin to escalate tensions.