Germany accuses Russia of drone attack on Leipzig airport

Germany has accused Russia of attempting a drone attack on Leipzig airport, a major regional hub.

Germany’s Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, alleged on Tuesday that Russia was behind last month’s drone incident at the airport, according to Al Jazeera.

He stated that Russia targeted the key airport with a drone laden with explosives, following a known pattern of “Russian hybrid operations.”

“Taken ‌together, police investigations, patterns of the offences and intelligence findings establish Russian responsibility for the attempted attack,” he said.

On 4 August, police found a drone at the airport next to Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo aeroplanes. Tagesschau, a German news outlet, reported that the drone with the explosive device was found on the “South Runway” by an airport employee.

The explosive device on the drone was eventually defused by specialists from the German Federal Police by removing the detonator.

Mr Dobrindt said examination of the equipment used, along with intelligence findings, proved Russian involvement in the attack.

The German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, also announced plans to order the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn, and the contract for the Russian House in Berlin will also be terminated.

The country believes the consulate in Berlin is used for espionage and to spread Russian propaganda. Germany is one of the major EU states supporting Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine war, which began after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

Two more drones allegedly linked to the suspected Russian operation were discovered after this. One was involved in a collision with a DHL cargo aircraft, while a third drone was found near the airport on 14 August.

Mr Wadephul stated that the state is also imposing tighter entry controls for Russian nationals and vowed to increase pressure on Moscow’s shadow fleet. This refers to the old tankers used by Russia to circumvent Western sanctions imposed after it invaded Ukraine in 2022.

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Mr Wadephul also said he had summoned Russia’s ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev, over the issue.

However, Russia has vowed to respond in a “mirror-image” to Germany’s measures.

The spokesperson of the Russian foreign ministry, Maria Zakharova, also accused Berlin of “sponsoring terrorism.”

The head of the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO), Mark Rutte, said in a post on X that the organisation “stands in full solidarity with Germany”.

“The evidence is clear. And I welcome the measures announced by Germany in response.”