Lavrov calls German accusations over Leipzig drone attack the start of a “real war”

Sergei Lavrov has accused the German government of wanting to “wage war again” against Russia, escalating an already sharp dispute over an alleged drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport.

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They said it was a Russian drone, without anyone trying to investigate more closely.

Responding to claims that Russia stood behind the planned attack, the Russian foreign minister said Germany had labeled the device Russian without properly investigating. Russian news agencies quoted him as saying: “This is ultimately the beginning of a real war.” He directed his warning at Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saying Merz was moving toward a declaration of war and that the lessons of history had not been heeded.

Lavrov also invoked the Second World War while criticizing Germany’s decision to close Russia’s general consulate in Bonn. “I remember that before the Second World War, the Great Patriotic War, the Germans also closed their diplomatic missions,” he said. “They want war again.”

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This is ultimately the beginning of a real war.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently held the Russian government responsible for the attempted drone attack on August 4. Dobrindt said people involved had acted “on behalf of Russian state bodies” and that the German government therefore concluded Russia was responsible for the hybrid attack.

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In essence, he is moving toward a declaration of war against us. The lessons of history have not been heeded.

A drone carrying explosives was found near several Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle airport, which serves as a hub for military aid shipments to Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Germany’s allegations an “unfounded provocation” and an unprecedented escalation in relations. Merz later said Germany had drawn the right conclusions and issued Russia a clear warning not to continue this form of hybrid warfare.

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We are firmly determined to ...