Germany confirms Russia was behind drone attack at Leipzig airport

Germany has publicly assigned responsibility to Russia for last month’s drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, where authorities found a drone carrying an explosive device near Ukrainian cargo aircraft.

The device did not explode because the detonator apparently malfunctioned. Investigators also suspect that a second drone collided with a cargo plane nearby.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the Aug. 4 attack followed “a well-known pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe.” He added that Germany could again become a target. Security experts had previously raised the possibility of Russian involvement, while Moscow had rejected the accusations.

The airport is used by the German military and NATO allies to transport military equipment. It also serves as a base for Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines, which carries most of Ukraine’s air cargo.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, standing beside Dobrindt at a news conference in Berlin, said he would order the closure of Russia’s consulate in Bonn. The contract for the Russian House in Berlin would also be terminated. Critics have long claimed that the site was used for espionage and spreading Russian propaganda.

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a well-known pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe