Russia calls drone incident at German airport a 'provocation'

Russia's embassy in Berlin has labeled the discovery of an explosives-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport a "hastily cobbled-together provocation" aimed at Moscow. The diplomatic mission stated on Telegram that the incident serves the goals of Kyiv and "the militaristic wing of the European political class."

The embassy warned against a "new wave of anti-Russian hysteria in Germany," suggesting Ukraine is behind the "hybrid attack" to justify continued financial support. "Ukraine and the governments in Europe need arguments to continue to let 'unlimited financial resources flow into the hands of a corrupt regime,'" the statement read, referring to the incident on Wednesday.

Russia's diplomatic representation criticized the presentation of the drone incident as a hybrid attack to stir up anti-Moscow sentiment in the media, asserting that no evidence has been provided. The embassy noted that some politicians are already discussing a war-triggering act against Germany and NATO, demanding countermeasures.

"We would like to add that the greatest danger to Germany today lies not in Moscow's much-invoked 'hybrid attacks' - which do not exist at all - but emanates from politicians who enthusiastically work out scenarios for an imminent war against Russia and suggest that German citizens participate in it," the embassy stated.

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the incident as a "hybrid" attack by "foreign powers" without directly blaming Russia. However, other politicians and experts point to Moscow's involvement. The Federal Prosecutor's Office is investigating the case for attempted explosives detonation and dangerous interference with air traffic.