Croatia condemns alleged Russian drone attack on German airport and backs coordinated EU-NATO response

Croatia has strongly condemned what Germany describes as a Russian attempt to attack Leipzig/Halle Airport. The Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Ministry said it stood in full solidarity with Germany and warned that hybrid activities pose a growing threat to European security.

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Croatia expresses full solidarity with Germany after the hybrid attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport was attributed to Russia.

In early August, authorities found a drone carrying explosives near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane at the airport in eastern Germany. They later discovered two more suspicious drones. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Tuesday that police investigations, patterns of wrongdoing and intelligence together pointed to Russian responsibility for the attempted attack.

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We strongly condemn this dangerous act. Such hybrid activities represent a growing threat to European security and require a determined and coordinated response from the EU and NATO.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany did not view Leipzig as an isolated incident. He described it as part of a broader pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe. Germany plans to respond with measures including the closure of Russia’s consulate general in Bonn and the termination of an agreement with the Russian House cultural center in Berlin.

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Police investigations, patterns of wrongdoing and intelligence together establish Russian responsibility for the attempted attack at the airport in Leipzig.

Wadephul also said Germany would press within the European Union for additional sanctions and travel restrictions on Russian citizens, while increasing pressure on Russia’s “shadow fleet.” Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would respond to what she called Berlin’s “anti-Russian actions.” Croatia said the alleged attack required a firm and coordinated EU-NATO response.

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This fits into a broader pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe.