Germany has said Russia was responsible for a drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August, where an explosive-carrying drone was found close to Ukrainian cargo aircraft.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said an examination of the equipment involved, together with intelligence findings, had established Russian involvement. He described the case as consistent with what he called a well-established pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe and said Germany expected to face further threats.
The drone was discovered on 4 August and did not explode, apparently because its detonator malfunctioned. Investigators also suspect that a second drone struck a cargo aircraft in the area. A third drone was reportedly discovered near the airport 10 days later.
Diplomatic measures announced
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany would close the Russian consulate in Bonn and terminate the contract for the Russian House in Berlin. He also announced tighter entry controls for Russian nationals and said Berlin would step up pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet of older tankers used to bypass Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Wadephul said he had summoned Russia’s ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev. Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said Moscow would respond to Germany’s measures in a “mirror-image” fashion. Russia has previously rejected allegations of involvement in such incidents.
Leipzig/Halle Airport is used by the German military and NATO allies to transport military goods. It is also a base for Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines, which carries much of the country’s aerial cargo.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance stood in full solidarity with Germany and welcomed Berlin’s response. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was preparing additional sanctions against Russia. The matter was due to be discussed by EU foreign ministers at a meeting in Ireland.
Germany is among several NATO member states that have reported drone sightings near airports, military facilities and industrial locations over the past year. Separately, police in Brandenburg are investigating the discovery of improvised explosive and incendiary devices at a power substation, where a damaged power line caused a temporary outage. Authorities said it was not known who had placed the devices.
Source: BBC News
