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🇬🇷 Greece /Conflict & Security

Merz says Leipzig drone attack marks a ‘deep turning point’ for Germany

From Kathimerini · () Greek

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

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Chancellor Friedrich Merz said an attempted drone attack at a German airport last month showed that Germany faced a “deep rupture” whose broader consequences would emerge only later.
  • Merz defended the German government’s attribution of the attack to Russia and warned Moscow against continuing what he called hybrid warfare.
  • EU and NATO leaders described the Leipzig incident as a new escalation on European Union territory, while Russia denied targeting the aircraft and announced the closure of Goethe-Institut cultural centers in Russia.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany is facing a “deep rupture” after an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport last month, warning that its broader consequences may become clear only in retrospect.

deep rupture

· Friedrich MerzThe German chancellor used the phrase to describe the significance of the attempted drone attack.

Speaking at a party event near Hanover, Merz said the German government’s attribution of the attack to Russia was “clear and legally substantiated.” He sent Moscow a direct warning not to continue what he described as this type of hybrid warfare.

clear and legally substantiated

· Friedrich MerzHe characterized the German government’s attribution of the attack to Russia.

The incident has prompted alarm from both the European Union and NATO. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Leipzig marked a new escalation on EU territory that was directly attributed to Russia. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance, including the United States, stood in “full solidarity with Germany.” Both officials said they would respond to what they described as a new normal.

Leipzig marks a new escalation on European Union territory, directly attributed to Russia.

· Ursula von der LeyenThe European Commission president described the incident’s significance for Europe.

Russia rejected accusations that it had targeted a Ukrainian transport aircraft with an explosives-carrying drone on August 4. In response to new German sanctions, Moscow announced that it would close Goethe-Institut cultural centers in Russia.

full solidarity with Germany

· Mark RutteThe NATO secretary general expressed the alliance’s support for Germany.
About this summary

Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. 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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