Germany Holds Russia Accountable for Attempted Drone Attack at Leipzig Airport

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told a press conference that the federal government attributes responsibility for the attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Aug. 4 to Russia. He said the investigation, together with intelligence findings, points to Russian involvement.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul added that the drone’s configuration, components, explosives and detonation system match those used in other Russian-linked hybrid actions against Ukraine, describing the incident as part of a broader pattern of destabilisation in Europe.

Authorities discovered an explosives-laden drone in the airport’s security area near a Ukrainian cargo plane and suspect a second drone may have collided with a DHL aircraft. A third drone was later reported by German media. Federal prosecutors classified the event as a serious attack on Germany’s transport and logistics infrastructure.

Dobrindt said Germany is not at war but faces daily hybrid threats, and that the response will be “proportionate and measured, yet resolute.” Wadephul said Germany will coordinate its reaction with EU and NATO partners, tighten entry controls for Russian nationals, propose additional EU sanctions, and close the Russian consulate in Bonn. He also announced the termination of a contract for the “Russian House” cultural centre in Berlin.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed full solidarity with Germany and pledged to strengthen deterrence. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas echoed the view that Russia was involved and called for a united response.

Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected the accusations, claiming the allegations were unfounded and politically motivated. Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Oleksii Makeiev welcomed Berlin’s measures and said Kyiv is cooperating with Germany to protect critical infrastructure from drone threats.