Germany has blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport, citing evidence linking the incident to hybrid operations by foreign powers. The attack, which involved an explosive-laden drone, has prompted a series of retaliatory measures including the closure of a Russian consulate and the termination of a cultural center contract.
The incident, which occurred in August, involved multiple drones near the airport, with investigators suspecting Russian involvement. German officials have accused Russia of using hybrid tactics to target Germany, with the Russian embassy dismissing the claims as absurd and threatening a 'mirror-image' response.
Germany's foreign minister has announced plans to close the Russian consulate in Bonn and cancel the lease for the Russian House in Berlin, citing concerns over espionage and propaganda. The EU and NATO have expressed solidarity with Germany, with the EU preparing additional sanctions against Russia and NATO vowing to defend its members against hybrid warfare.
The German government has stated that Russia is a 'daily target' of hybrid warfare, and the incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks attributed to foreign powers. The Russian embassy has described Germany's measures as an 'unprecedented escalation' in Russian-German relations, with Moscow vowing to respond in kind to the perceived threat.