Drone attack: Merz tells Russia, “We are firmly determined to defend ourselves”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has issued an emphatic warning to Russia after a failed drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, saying Germany is determined to defend its democracy, open society and territory.

“Everyone who attacks us must know: We are firmly determined to defend our constitutional state, our democracy, our open society, and the integrity of our territory,” Merz said at a campaign event in Langenhagen near Hanover. It was his first public comment since the attack was attributed to Russia.

A drone carrying explosives was stopped at Leipzig/Halle Airport in early August near Ukrainian transport aircraft. Merz said the explosives failed to detonate “by a small coincidence.” Two nearby planes had been partially fueled, and an explosion could have caused “a major inferno,” he said.

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Everyone who attacks us must know: We are firmly determined to defend our constitutional state, our democracy, our open society, and the integrity of our territory.

The chancellor said the incident had been conclusively and legally provably attributed to Russia. The German government holds Moscow responsible, but Russia denies the accusation and says Germany has not provided evidence. Berlin now expects further Russian hybrid attacks.

Merz used the term hybrid warfare for a combination of military, economic, intelligence and propaganda tools, including cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns intended to influence public opinion before elections. He compared the current situation with the divisive debate over military deployments in the early 1980s, during the Cold War, and said Germany must remain firm.

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a major inferno