“Serious Mistake”: Kremlin Rages at German Sanctions After Drone Incident

The failed explosives-laden drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport has sharply worsened already tense relations between Berlin and Moscow. Germany holds the Kremlin responsible. Russia rejects the accusation and says Berlin has fabricated evidence.

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We are not at war, but we are the daily target of hybrid warfare.

President Vladimir Putin called Germany’s sanctions a “serious mistake” and accused the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz of staging an internally motivated maneuver during an election period. Speaking at a press conference in Bishkek, Putin asked, “Where is the evidence?” He also claimed that Merz had lost the public’s trust because he was not protecting Germany’s national interests.

Berlin announced a broad package of measures on Tuesday. It includes closing the Russian House in Berlin, a cultural institute suspected of serving as cover for espionage, as well as Russia’s consulate general in Bonn. The steps also involve expelling numerous diplomats, tightening entry controls for Russian citizens and taking tougher action against Russia’s shadow fleet.

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Where is the evidence?

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described Germany’s position by saying, “We are not at war, but we are the daily target of hybrid warfare.” He defined hybrid warfare as a combination of military, economic, intelligence and propaganda tools, including cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns intended to influence public opinion, including before elections.

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Serious mistake

Russia’s ambassador to Berlin, who had been summoned to the Foreign Ministry, called the allegations “absurd” and described the incident as a “hastily cobbled-together provocation at the airport in Leipzig.” He said Germany’s measures would represent “an unprecedented escalation in Russian-German relations and will not go without consequences.” The Russian Foreign Ministry announced a “mirror” response, but gave no details initially. NATO and the EU were also due to discuss the drone incident, with EU foreign ministers expected to begin consultations on a possible European response.

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An unprecedented escalation in Russian-German relations and will not go without consequences.