Tensions rise over Leipzig drone incident as Lavrov calls German accusations the ‘start of a real war’

Sergei Lavrov has described Germany’s accusations against Moscow over an attempted attack at Leipzig airport as “the beginning of a real war.” Speaking to Russian state television, the foreign minister questioned Germany’s conclusion that a drone found near the airport was Russian.

“Leipzig, airport (...) They found a drone. They said it was a Russian drone. Nobody established that. That is, strictly speaking, the beginning of a real war,” Lavrov said.

He also compared German sanctions, including the closure of Russia’s consulate general in Bonn and its cultural institute in Berlin, with the start of the Second World War. He was quoted by the Russian broadcaster Vesti as saying that the Germans apparently wanted war again.

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Leipzig, airport (...) They found a drone. They said it was a Russian drone. Nobody established that. That is, strictly speaking, the beginning of a real war.

German authorities spent four weeks examining the incident. In early September, the federal government attributed the attempted attack to Russian intelligence services.

At Leipzig/Halle airport, a drone carrying an explosive device was found near a Ukrainian transport aircraft in early August. No explosion took place. Two more drones were found later. Berlin says Germany may be targeted by covert operations from Russian intelligence services because of its support for Ukraine.

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The beginning of a real war