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Germany accuses Russia of attempting drone attack on Leipzig airport
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Germany accuses Russia of attempting drone attack on Leipzig airport

From Premium Times · () English

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

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Germany accused Russia of attempting to attack Leipzig airport with an explosive-laden drone found near Ukrainian cargo aircraft on Aug. 4.
  • Berlin plans to close Russia’s consulate in Bonn, terminate the contract for Russian House in Berlin, tighten entry controls for Russian nationals and increase pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet.
  • Russia rejected the accusation, threatened reciprocal measures and accused Germany of sponsoring terrorism, while NATO expressed solidarity with Berlin.

Germany has accused Russia of trying to strike Leipzig airport with a drone carrying explosives, turning an incident at a major regional hub into a fresh diplomatic confrontation between Berlin and Moscow.

Taken together, police investigations, patterns of the offences and intelligence findings establish Russian responsibility for the attempted attack.

— Alexander DobrindtGermany’s interior minister cited investigations, intelligence and the alleged pattern of offences when accusing Russia.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said police investigations, intelligence findings and the pattern of the alleged offences pointed to Russian responsibility. “Taken together, police investigations, patterns of the offences and intelligence findings establish Russian responsibility for the attempted attack,” he said.

Police found the drone on Aug. 4 beside Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft at the airport. An airport employee discovered it on the South Runway, according to Tagesschau. Specialists from the German Federal Police defused the explosive device by removing its detonator. Two other drones were later allegedly linked to the operation. One collided with a DHL cargo aircraft, while another was found near the airport on Aug. 14.

mirror-image

— Russian governmentRussia described its planned response to Germany’s measures as reciprocal.

Dobrindt described the incident as part of a known pattern of Russian “hybrid operations.” Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany would close Russia’s consulate in Bonn and terminate the contract for Russian House in Berlin. Berlin believes Russia’s consulate in the capital is used for espionage and propaganda. Wadephul also announced tighter entry controls for Russian nationals, vowed to increase pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet and said he had summoned Ambassador Sergei Nechayev.

sponsoring terrorism

— Maria ZakharovaThe Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman accused Berlin after Germany announced measures against Moscow.

Moscow said it would respond in a “mirror-image” manner. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Berlin of “sponsoring terrorism.” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte backed Germany, saying, “The evidence is clear. And I welcome the measures announced by Germany in response.”

The evidence is clear. And I welcome the measures announced by Germany in response.

— Mark RutteThe NATO secretary-general expressed solidarity with Germany.
About this summary

Originally published by Premium Times in English. 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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