Germany says Russia behind Leipzig airport drone attack

Germany has claimed responsibility for a drone attack at Leipzig airport last month, stating that Russia is behind the incident. On August 4th, a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered at the airport, though it failed to detonate due to a faulty detonator. Investigators suspect that a second drone collided with a cargo aircraft nearby.

A third drone was found near the airport 10 days later. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt mentioned that this attack followed the "well-established pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe," and Germany would likely be targeted again. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Germany of planting evidence to blame Moscow for the attempted attack, without providing any evidence.

The Russian embassy in Berlin dismissed the allegation as "absurd." German Foreign Minister Johannis Wadephul announced plans to close the Russian consulate in Bonn and terminate the contract for the Russian House in Berlin, as well as implementing tighter entry controls for Russian nationals. He also vowed to increase pressure on Moscow's shadow fleet and called for the closure of the Goethe-Institut in Moscow if the Russian House was closed.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed solidarity with Germany, stating that the evidence was clear and that the organization would stand in full support. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU was united in its resolve to counter Russian aggression and would impose additional sanctions. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Russia was escalating tensions across the region, and Polish prosecutors are investigating a possible connection between the drone attack and a factory fire in Poland.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that Russian attempts to undermine unity and support for Ukraine in the face of aggression were futile. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that those who carried out hostile acts against Germany would "pay a price." Germany is supporting Ukraine, but an MP in Merz's party criticized the measures as insufficient, stating that Moscow would "laugh" at the summoning of its ambassador.