Germany accuses Russia of attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport

Taken ‌together, police investigations, patterns of the offences and intelligence findings establish Russian responsibility for the attempted attack, he told reporters, standing alongside Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. The federal government therefore concludes that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack.

Investigation at Leipzig/Halle Airport

The drone was found at the airport near a Ukrainian cargo plane on the evening of August 4 and defused. The attempted attack in August involved three drones carrying explosive material spotted at or near the Leipzig-Halle Airport in eastern Germany, including one drone that was found near a Ukrainian Antonov plane used to transport munitions. The BBC reported that the drone carrying an explosive device was discovered on 4 August close to Ukrainian cargo planes, failed to explode because the detonator was apparently faulty, and that investigators suspected a second drone collided with a cargo aircraft nearby. The BBC also said a third drone was reportedly found near the airport 10 days later, while Germany’s accusation framed the Leipzig incident as part of a well-established pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe.

The findings were announced as several European countries that are providing Ukraine with support as it defends itself against Russia’s four-and-a-half-year invasion have reported an increase in sabotage attacks and attempts that they blame on Russia. Dobrindt said German authorities do not view the attack as an isolated incident. It fits into a ⁠broader pattern of Russian hybrid ⁠operations in Europe, he asserted.

Standing alongside Wadephul, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the German government determined Russia is responsible even as investigations remain ongoing. The attack involved tools such as the drone configuration, various components, explosives and cyber technology that we recognize from other Russian hybrid operations and its war against Ukraine, Dobrindt said. Dobrindt told reporters that the drone’s configuration, components, explosives and detonator were known to us from other Russian hybrid operations and its war against Ukraine, and he said the evidence prove[s] a Russian responsibility for the attempted attack at Leipzig airport.

Countermeasures and Sanctions Announced by Johann Wadephul

Wadephul said Germany is implementing a series of measures in response. Wadephul announced a series of domestic countermeasures, including the closure of Russia’s Bonn consulate on September 18, stricter entry controls for Russian nationals and the termination of the agreement governing the Russian House in central Berlin — a cultural institution suspected of serving as a hub for espionage operations and whose Russian operator is under EU sanctions. The Russian ambassador has been summoned, while Russia’s consulate general ⁠in Bonn and the Russian House cultural centre ⁠in Berlin will be shuttered, he said.

Through the European Union framework, Germany will also seek additional sanctions and travel restrictions on Russian nationals, and pressure will also be raised on Russia’s “shadow fleet”, Wadephul said. Germany will also propose new EU sanctions targeting Russian individuals connected to hybrid attacks, while pushing to increase measures targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, Wadephul said. A senior German government official also said Berlin would advocate that the EU reduce the number of 90-day tourist visas issued to Russian citizens and restrict the freedom of movement of Russian diplomats. Germany said it would tighten entry controls for Russian nationals and increase pressure on the shadow fleet, a reference in the AP to tankers suspected of shipping Russian oil in violation of international sanctions.

Reaction from Maria Zakharova

Reacting ‌to Germany’s announcement, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Moscow would respond to what she called ‌Berlin’s anti-Russian ‌action, according to the Interfax news agency. The AP reported that she rejected the accusations as a far-fetched and contrived pretext for Berlin to escalate tensions. The BBC also said Zakharova told the German Press Agency that Berlin is sponsoring terrorism.

Germany’s accusation of a direct attack sponsored by Russia on its soil is one of the strongest to be made by a European nation amid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. It also reflects Berlin’s tougher approach towards Moscow since Chancellor Friedrich Merz took office last year. Berlin has expanded military support for Ukraine and backed the use of long-range weapons against targets inside Russia.

On Monday, Germany criticised Washington for welcoming Russia’s finance minister to a Group of 20 (G20) meeting in the United States, warning against any normalisation of relations while the war in Ukraine continues.

EU and NATO leaders have been quick to pledge support. We are united in our resolve to stand against Russian aggression. We will deter anyone who seeks to undermine our freedom and security, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on social media. The matter, including additional sanctions, will be prepared by Foreign Ministers at their upcoming meeting. EU foreign ministers were due to meet in the Republic of Ireland starting on Tuesday evening. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he welcomed the measures, and the BBC quoted him saying the organisation stands in full solidarity with Germany, adding that The evidence is clear.