Germany accuses Russia of drone plot at Leipzig airport, moves to close Russian consulate
German officials said a drone loaded with explosives found at Leipzig/Halle Airport was linked to Russian state actors, prompting the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and additional sanctions measures.
German authorities said a drone carrying explosives discovered near a Ukrainian aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Aug. 4 was part of a Russian-linked hybrid operation. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the device’s configuration, components and detonator matched those used in other Russian sabotage actions, indicating "a high degree of technical expertise" and planning by "low-level" agents. He added that intelligence points to individuals acting on behalf of Russian state entities, though no specific agency was named.
"Taken together, the police investigations, the pattern and intelligence findings prove a Russian responsibility for the attempted attack at Leipzig airport," Dobrindt told reporters.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced that the Russian consulate in Bonn will close on Sept. 18 and that the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin will also be shut down. He said Germany will seek to add more Russian individuals to EU sanctions lists, tighten entry controls for Russian nationals and increase pressure on the so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers suspected of evading sanctions.
"With the attempted attack in Leipzig, the Russian leadership decided deliberately to do significant damage again to our already massively burdened bilateral relationship," Wadephul said.
The Russian ambassador was summoned to Berlin’s foreign ministry. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called the accusations a "far-fetched and contrived pretext" and said Moscow would respond appropriately. President Vladimir Putin dismissed the allegations, claiming Berlin was using the incident to distract from domestic issues.
Western officials have documented roughly 200 sabotage incidents across Europe since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including drone attacks, arson and cyber intrusions. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed solidarity with Germany, and the EU is preparing further sanctions against Russian entities.