Innere Sicherheit: Berichte: Regierung sieht Russland hinter Drohnen-Vorfall

The German government is suspected by media reports to be responsible for a failed attempt to carry out a bomb attack using a drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport in early August. The government had privately named Russia as the likely perpetrator following the incident. No official statement has been made by the government so far, but the public reaction is expected soon.

The drone, loaded with explosives, was discovered in the security area of the airport on the evening of August 4th. The Federal Office of Justice described the incident as a "serious attack on Germany's transport and logistics infrastructure." The Federal Criminal Police are investigating the case for attempted explosion and dangerous interference in air traffic.

EU Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Kaja Kallas suggested that Russia was somehow involved in the drone incident, but ultimately it is up to the Germans to determine the motive behind the attack. She also noted that other countries have observed an increasing tendency of Russian provocations. Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously indicated that the government would announce its findings on the perpetrators of the failed drone attack.

Possible responses include the expulsion of Russian diplomats, invoking Article 4 of the NATO treaty, or even targeting the "shadow fleet" of Russian tankers and freighters used to avoid sanctions. The Greens have long called for the closure of the Russian cultural institute in Berlin, also known as the Russian House. Any action taken by the government should result in retaliation from Moscow, such as the expulsion of German diplomats or the closure of the Goethe-Institute.