German government plans to blame Russia for drone incident at Leipzig airport

Germany is preparing to publicly blame Russia for a drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport, according to information obtained by Die Zeit. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul are expected to address the allegation at a press conference.

The incident took place on Aug. 4, when a drone fitted with explosives was discovered in a restricted part of the airport, between Ukrainian cargo aircraft. Authorities now apparently suspect that more than one drone may have been used.

Wadephul was expected to interrupt a trip from Algiers to an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Ireland and return to Berlin for the briefing. A spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry confirmed that a press conference would take place but gave no details about its contents.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a television interview on Sunday that the investigation was close to completion and that a response was being prepared. Media reports over the weekend said Germany was considering a combination of national measures and new EU sanctions against Russia.

Wadephul avoided naming a suspected perpetrator during his Algeria trip, but rejected the idea that Germany should be deterred by a possible response from Russian President Vladimir Putin. “There will be no overreaction from our side, but there will be reactions if we are attacked,” he said. He added that Germany would not be intimidated and stood with Ukraine, while calling for any response to be carefully coordinated.

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There will be no overreaction from our side, but there will be reactions if we are attacked.