EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday the bloc is preparing sanctions on an additional 1,600 individuals and entities linked to Russia's military sector and is "ready to add more," following Germany's accusation that Moscow was behind a failed explosives-laden drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4. Three drones were found in and around the freight hub, temporarily disrupting air traffic.
Kallas said the incident "has all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism," and that the EU had summoned Russia's representative in Brussels. France also summoned a Russian charge d'affaires, while Germany summoned Russia's envoy in Moscow. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said additional sanctions would be prepared "in the coming weeks" and that Moscow "must now live with these consequences."
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has sanctioned more than 3,000 officials, oligarchs and companies, including President Vladimir Putin, Russian banks, energy firms, drone manufacturers, and hundreds of shadow-fleet vessels. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said authorities were examining how to "cut deeper into Russia's war chest," while Kallas highlighted support among member states for banning former Russian military personnel from visiting the EU.
Russia has denied involvement, with President Vladimir Putin alleging the evidence was "planted," and the Russian foreign ministry said it summoned Germany's envoy to declare Moscow's "categorical" rejection of responsibility. The attempted attack has yet to alter the trajectory of the conflict in Ukraine, which has settled into a war of attrition.