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🇮🇹 Italy /Conflict & Security

Berlin blames Moscow over Leipzig drones as Europe and NATO vow to respond

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Germany announced retaliatory measures after accusing Russia of involvement in explosive drone incidents at Leipzig airport and other suspected hybrid attacks.
  • Russia’s President Vladimir Putin rejected the allegation, saying Berlin’s accusations were driven by Germany’s domestic political problems.
  • EU and NATO leaders backed Germany, while suspected drone activity also triggered alerts in Latvia and Estonia and homemade explosive devices damaged a power line in Brandenburg.

The confrontation between Berlin and Moscow has moved into the open. Germany says it has evidence that Russia was behind explosive drone incidents at Leipzig airport, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government has announced a series of retaliatory measures.

The chancellor does not enjoy the population’s trust, and they have made obvious mistakes in the economic sphere.

— Vladimir PutinThe Russian president rejected Germany’s accusations and attributed them to domestic political difficulties.

The measures include closing Russia’s general consulate in Bonn from Sept. 18, ending the contract with Berlin’s Russian House, which Germany considers a spy hub, and increasing pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet. The dispute centers on accusations that Moscow is waging hybrid warfare against Germany.

Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected the German claims during a late-night news conference in Bishkek. He said Berlin’s accusations reflected Germany’s domestic political situation and argued that Merz was struggling because of public dissatisfaction. “The chancellor does not enjoy the population’s trust, and they have made obvious mistakes in the economic sphere,” Putin said. He added that Germany had no evidence of a Russian hybrid war.

We will respond.

— Ursula von der LeyenThe European Commission president pledged action in support of Germany.

The European Union and NATO have backed Berlin. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “We will respond.” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said, “Russia’s attempts to intimidate us, undermine our unity and weaken our will to support Ukraine are futile and will fail.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also called for unity and credible deterrence to protect citizens.

Russia’s attempts to intimidate us, undermine our unity and weaken our will to support Ukraine are futile and will fail.

— Mark RutteThe NATO secretary general condemned the alleged Russian campaign and backed continued support for Ukraine.

The concern has spread beyond Germany. Drones triggered alerts in Latvia and crossed into Estonian airspace overnight from Monday to Tuesday, prompting NATO fighter jets to take off. In Brandenburg, authorities found several homemade unconventional explosive devices that damaged a power line but caused no injuries or blackout, police in Potsdam told ANSA. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Germany remained a daily target of hybrid warfare, while Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul returned urgently from Algiers as the investigation unfolded.

In moments like this, it is essential to remain firm, continue working together and maintain a credible deterrence posture to protect the security of our citizens.

— Giorgia MeloniThe Italian prime minister called for unity after the incidents involving Germany and other European airspace.
About this summary

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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