Germany Blames Russia for Leipzig Airport Drone Attack

Germany has accused Russia of being behind an attempted attack involving an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport, describing the incident as part of a wider campaign of Russian "hybrid attacks" aimed at destabilising Europe.

German authorities said the drone was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at the airport on August 4. Police deployed a robot to neutralise the device, which was carrying explosives.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said a combination of police investigations, the pattern of similar incidents and intelligence assessments had led authorities to conclude that Russia was responsible.

"We do not view the Leipzig incident in isolation," Dobrindt said, adding that Germany believed it could face further Russian hybrid operations.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the incident was consistent with a broader pattern of Russian activity across Europe.

In response, Germany announced a series of measures targeting Russian diplomatic and cultural operations. The Russian Consulate in Bonn is to be closed later this month, while the lease for the Russia House cultural centre in Berlin will be terminated.

Berlin also said it would strengthen entry controls for Russian nationals and seek the addition of further Russian individuals to European Union sanctions lists.

Russia strongly rejected the accusations.

Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev dismissed the allegations as "unsubstantiated" and "absurd", while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Germany had provided no evidence to support its claims.

Peskov warned that Berlin appeared to be pursuing a course of further escalation.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Germany of creating a pretext to shut down the Russia House and said Moscow would respond to what she described as anti-Russian measures.

The Leipzig incident has heightened concerns in Germany over a series of unexplained drone sightings reported near military installations, industrial facilities and other sensitive sites in recent months.

Authorities are also investigating a separate suspected sabotage incident in Brandenburg, where more than a dozen homemade incendiary devices were discovered near a substation serving a coal-fired power plant about 100 kilometres southeast of Berlin. At least one of the devices detonated.

No individual or organisation has been identified as responsible for the Brandenburg incident. State Interior Minister Jan Redmann said investigators were considering several possibilities, including involvement by a foreign power or left-wing activists.

The latest accusations against Russia come amid growing European concerns that Moscow could seek to test NATO's resolve through sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and other forms of hybrid warfare.

There are also fears that Russia could eventually attempt more direct military action against NATO members, particularly in the Baltic region.

Sources familiar with CIA Director John Ratcliffe's August 25 visit to Moscow said one purpose of his meetings with Russian intelligence officials was to warn Moscow against attacking NATO countries.

NATO and the European Union expressed solidarity with Germany following the Leipzig allegations and said Russia would not succeed in weakening European support for Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance would continue strengthening its ability to deter and defend against threats, including hostile hybrid activities.

He said Russian attempts to intimidate European countries, undermine unity and weaken support for Ukraine would fail.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also voiced support for Germany, warning that hybrid attacks would receive a clear response.

She accused Russia of trying to spread fear and distrust across European societies and said the EU would continue supporting Ukraine.

EU foreign ministers were expected to prepare additional sanctions against Moscow during a meeting in Ireland on September 1-2.

The EU has already drawn up another package targeting as many as 1,600 Russian individuals and entities, largely linked to Russia's defence sector. Member states are expected to consider the measures later this year.

EU ambassadors are also due to impose sanctions on Russian individuals and organisations accused of involvement in the abduction of Ukrainian children.

The Leipzig airport incident has added to mounting concern about the security of critical infrastructure in Germany and elsewhere in Europe as governments confront what they describe as an increasingly aggressive Russian campaign of hybrid activity.

Leipzig/Halle Airport is particularly sensitive because it handles military-related cargo and serves as a base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines. German and NATO forces also use the airport to transport military supplies.