After Leipzig attack, Europeans draw a red line for Russia

German authorities say the trail from last month’s drone incident at Leipzig airport leads to Russia. According to a media report, investigators identified two men suspected of planning an attack on Ukrainian transport aircraft, but both had already left the country before the operation.

One suspect is described as a Russian-born man with a Latvian passport who allegedly had links to Russian intelligence. German authorities believe he acted as the operation’s logistics coordinator and organiser. The second suspect, a Belarusian national with a Russian passport, reportedly entered Germany on an Italian tourist visa issued in Minsk. Investigators found his DNA at the scene, and he has previous convictions in several countries.

Experts from Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office believe the attack was intended to involve several drones. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Tuesday that the evidence pointed to Russian responsibility after weeks of investigation.

“We are not at war, but we are the daily target of hybrid warfare,” Dobrindt said. He cited the drone components, explosives and ignition technology as indicators of Russian intelligence operations.

Wadephul announced measures including the closure of Russia’s consulate in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin, a cultural institute that German officials said had served as a base for Russian agents. He also outlined tighter border controls for Russian citizens and called for a joint European response to Russia’s shadow fleet, which is accused of bypassing Western sanctions.

Officials from the CDU, FDP and Greens said the measures did not go far enough. During an unofficial EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Wicklow, near Dublin, Wadephul raised the prospect of sanctions against Russian leaders. Germany and several other EU states also summoned Russian representatives.

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We are not at war, but we are the daily target of hybrid warfare.