Germany has blamed Russia for an attempted explosive drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month after a device was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane.
The explosive-laden drone, which was defused, had prompted a counterterrorism investigation and fears of another hybrid attack on European soil.
German interior minister Alexander Dobrindt announced on Tuesday that the German government “comes to the conclusion that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on 4 August.
“Taken together, police investigations, patterns of the offences and intelligence findings establish Russian responsibility for the attempted attack,” he added.
Mr Dobrindt said the event corresponds with a known pattern of “Russian hybrid operations,” adding: “We assume that Germany is the target of further hybrid attacks by Russia.”
Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephu, has ordered a series of retaliatory actions, including the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn along with the Russian House, a cultural centre in Berlin.
Mr Wadephu said he did not believe the event was an isolated incident.
Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would respond in a “mirror-image” fashion to Germany's measures, telling German Press Agency that “Berlin is sponsoring terrorism”.
Its embassy in Germany said the allegations were absurd and stood to benefit Ukraine, the militaristic wing of the Europe's elite, and arms makers.
“The Russian ambassador categorically rejected the accusations levelled by Berlin as unsubstantiated, absurd and contrary to common sense.
“He pointed out that the measures announced by the German side represent an unprecedented escalation in Russian-German relations and will not remain without consequences, for which the German government will bear full responsibility.”
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte welcomed Germany’s response, saying the evidence “was clear”.
Following a call with German chancellor Friedrich Merz, he wrote on X: “Nato will continue to strengthen our ability to deter and defend all Allies against any threat – including malign actions like those seen in Leipzig and elsewhere across the Alliance.
“Russia’s attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our unity and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and will fail. Our support to Ukraine is unwavering, as is our ironclad commitment to Nato’s collective defence.”
Mr Rutte is due to meet with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to discuss the issue on Wednesday.
Germany will now push within the European Union for additional sanctions and travel restrictions on Russian nationals, while increasing pressure on Moscow’s shadow fleet.
Airport workers had discovered the drone in a restricted cargo area near the southern runway and in the immediate vicinity of a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane.
The runway was closed while specialists examined the object using explosives-disposal technology and several aircraft had to be diverted from the airport.
At the time, Oleksii Makeiev, the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, accused Russia of being behind the incident, telling Germany’s Welt TV: “Who else could it be but Russia?”
Leipzig/Halle is a major hub for international freight and for providing support to Ukraine.
In 2024, an incendiary device ignited at a logistics centre at the airport and set fire to a freight container before it could be loaded onto a cargo plane.
Western security officials suspect it was part of a plot that was organised by Russian intelligence.
Andy Burnham has condemned the “egregious and reckless attack”, saying he backed Germany’s retaliatory measures.
The British prime minister said: “The United Kingdom stands in full solidarity with Germany following Russia’s egregious and reckless attack in Leipzig.
“Russian attempts to undermine our united resolve and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and doomed to fail. As I made clear in Kyiv last week, our commitment to supporting Ukraine from Russia’s illegal invasion is ironclad.
“The strong measures taken by the German government show action against any attack of this nature will be met with a clear response. We will not waver in our resolve to deter attacks on our freedom and security.”
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