Germany accuses Russia of involvement in Leipzig airport drone incident and tightens security measures

Germany has formally blamed Russia for a drone attack that was intercepted at Leipzig/Halle Airport in early August, interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Tuesday. The incident, in which an explosive-laden drone was found in a secure area near the south runway, led the government to raise its threat assessment from "general" to "high" and to announce a series of countermeasures.

Dobrindt described the event as a new threat scenario, noting that while the country is not at war, it faces daily hybrid attacks. Foreign minister Johann Wadephul ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian cultural centre in Berlin, and Germany will tighten controls on Russian nationals entering the country.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said European foreign ministers would announce a "clear response" to Moscow, including additional sanctions, later in the week. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg (note: actual name is Jens Stoltenberg, not Mark Rutte) welcomed Germany's steps and reaffirmed the alliance's unwavering commitment to Ukraine and deterrence against threats.

U.S. defense officials have previously assessed that the drone, which carried military-grade explosives, was linked to a Russian intelligence service. A second flying object struck a cargo plane near the airport on August 5, causing minor damage but no injuries.

Russia denied the accusations, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova calling the allegations a "pretext" and warning of a response to any anti-Russian decisions.

Separately, German police reported sabotage at a power substation in Turnow-Preilack, near the Polish border, where several improvised explosive devices, including rocket-like projectiles, were found attached to a high-voltage line. Authorities have not identified the perpetrators but said a foreign power or left-wing activists could be involved.