Germany blames Russia for airport drone incident, hits back with sanctions

Germany has accused Russia of attempting a hybrid attack involving an explosive-laden drone at a strategic airport last month, and responded with diplomatic counter-measures. The European Union showed full solidarity with Germany, while NATO vowed to defend its members and countries like Britain, France and Poland offered strong backing.

In response, Germany will close its consulate in Bonn and cancel the Russian House cultural center in Berlin. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced tighter entry controls for Russian nationals and proposed listing additional Russian individuals for EU sanctions. Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the sanctions as a serious mistake, stating they run counter to the interests of the German people.

The Russian ambassador to Berlin was summoned, and the Russian embassy described the accusations as unsubstantiated and absurd. Germany's top diplomat vowed to increase pressure on the Russian "shadow fleet," old oil tankers and cargo ships with opaque ownership used to bypass Western sanctions. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt concluded that Russia was responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on August 4, attributing the drone configuration to known Russian hybrid operations.

German officials believe further hybrid attacks are likely, describing Germany as a daily target of hybrid warfare. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and NATO chief Mark Rutte also expressed solidarity with Germany and pledged to strengthen defenses against threats. World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, voiced support for fresh EU sanctions on Russia, while Sweden summoned its Russian ambassador in response to the incident.