Germany blames Russia for airport drone attack and announces tough measures as Moscow responds

Germany has accused Russian intelligence of standing behind an attempted bombing at Leipzig/Halle Airport, after a drone carrying explosives was found in a restricted area between Ukrainian cargo aircraft on Aug. 4.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the incident as Russian involvement in a hybrid attack. He warned that Germany could face further hybrid attacks and said authorities could not rule out greater damage. “We are not at war, but every day we are the target of hybrid warfare,” Dobrindt said.

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Russian involvement

Federal Police specialists determined that a canister had detached from the drone and contained about half a kilogram of Semtex. The incident is considered serious because Leipzig Airport serves as a logistics hub, including for DHL, and is regularly used for military transport by Germany’s armed forces and NATO.

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We are not at war, but every day we are the target of hybrid warfare

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany would stand up to its opponents and continue strengthening support for Ukraine. According to Spiegel, planned measures include closing Russia’s general consulate in Bonn on Sept. 18, ending the agreement with Berlin’s Russian House, tightening entry controls for Russian nationals, summoning the Russian ambassador and increasing pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet.

“Our message to the Russian leadership is clear: we will not allow Russian attacks to divide or intimidate us and undermine our social cohesion,” Wadephul said. Chancellor Friedrich Merz had earlier promised that Germany would impose a price on those responsible for hybrid attacks. Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would respond to Berlin’s “anti-Russian move.” The Russian Embassy described the incident as a hastily assembled provocation and warned of a new wave of anti-Russian hysteria in Germany.

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Our message to the Russian leadership is clear: we will not allow Russian attacks to divide or intimidate us and undermine our social cohesion