German security expert doubts Russia's claims on drone incident, warns of 'rules without rules' game
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A German CDU security expert doubts Russia's claims regarding a drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
- He states Russia plays by "rules without rules" and has lost credibility due to its actions in Ukraine.
- The Russian embassy warned of "anti-Russian hysteria" in Germany, suggesting the incident was a provocation by Ukraine.
Marc Henrichmann, a security expert from Germany's CDU party and chairman of the Bundestag's intelligence control committee, has expressed skepticism regarding Russia's statements about a drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
Russia has long since lost its credibility, if you look at Ukraine, where one can hardly keep up with the violations of international law.
Henrichmann asserted that Russia has long forfeited its credibility, citing ongoing violations of international law in Ukraine. "Russia is playing a game without rules, and that is no new insight," he stated in an interview with ZDF's 'heute journal update.' He suggested that Russia's actions, including the alleged drone incident, are part of a broader strategy as its military campaign in Ukraine falters.
And that Russia is playing a game without rules, that is no new insight.
Conversely, the Russian embassy in Berlin issued a statement calling the incident a "hastily fabricated provocation" aimed at serving Kyiv's interests and those of a "militaristic wing of the European political class." The embassy warned against a "new wave of anti-Russian hysteria" in Germany, implying that Ukraine seeks to secure continued financial aid by fabricating such events.
It is obvious that this hastily fabricated provocation exclusively serves the goals of Kyiv and the militaristic wing of the European political class.
The incident involved a drone equipped with explosives discovered near Ukrainian transport aircraft at the airport. A subsequent collision occurred when a departing aircraft encountered an unidentified smaller object. While German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described it as a "hybrid" attack by "foreign powers," he stopped short of directly blaming Russia. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into suspected attempted explosive detonation and dangerous interference with air traffic.
We must be resilient and also put Russia in its place.
Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.