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Germany will 'make them pay' for hybrid attacks, warns Friedrich Merz

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that Germany will make perpetrators of hybrid attacks "pay for their actions."
  • The warning follows reports of drones being used in a suspected attack on Leipzig airport.
  • Germany has seen an increase in sabotage, disinformation, and espionage attempts, attributed to Russia since the Ukraine war began.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a stern warning on Tuesday, stating that Germany will hold perpetrators of hybrid attacks accountable and make them "pay for their actions." This strong declaration comes in the wake of press revelations suggesting that drones were deployed during a suspected attack on Leipzig airport in early August.

Germany has become a more prominent target for hybrid attacks.

— Friedrich MerzDescribing Germany's increased vulnerability to hybrid threats.

Merz indicated that Germany has become a more prominent target for hybrid attacks, which encompass attempts at sabotage, disinformation, and espionage on German soil. He noted that such activities have escalated since the beginning of the war in Ukraine and are largely attributed to Russia. The Chancellor made these remarks on the sidelines of a government retreat in Neuhardenberg, east of Berlin.

we will make the perpetrators of hybrid attacks pay for their actions.

— Friedrich MerzStating Germany's resolve to retaliate against those responsible for hybrid attacks.

Investigations into the Leipzig incident are ongoing, with authorities working closely with security services. Merz assured that conclusions would be presented soon. Reports from Süddeutsche Zeitung and public broadcasters NDR and WDR suggest the operation might have been more extensive than initially believed. Initially, a drone laden with explosives was found near cargo planes at the airport, and a second drone reportedly struck a DHL cargo plane. However, sources indicate a third drone was discovered later in a field west of the airport, containing a substance consistent with a powerful military explosive.

The authorities are working intensively with the security services on the investigation and will present their conclusions soon.

— Friedrich MerzProviding an update on the investigation into the Leipzig airport incident.

The identity of those responsible for the Leipzig incident remains unknown. German security sources have pointed to Russian intelligence services as potential actors. Leipzig airport is a significant transit point for military aid destined for Ukraine. Chancellor Merz reaffirmed Germany's long-term commitment to supporting Kyiv, emphasizing that the goal is to facilitate peace negotiations, not prolong the conflict.

Germany will maintain its support for Kyiv in the long term.

— Friedrich MerzReaffirming Germany's commitment to supporting Ukraine.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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