Weeks after an explosive‑laden drone was discovered at a German airport near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft, the German government formally accused Russia of the incident and announced a series of punitive measures, including the closure of a Russian consulate.
Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Tuesday that investigators had determined the drone was operated by agents acting “on behalf of Russian state entities.”
“Police investigations, operational patterns, and intelligence findings together demonstrate Russian responsibility for the attempted attack,” Mr. Dobrindt said at a news conference. “The federal government therefore concludes that Russia is responsible for this hybrid attack,” he added.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S. Peskov countered that Germany had not presented any proof of Russian involvement. “When such serious accusations are made, they must be backed by something,” he told reporters. “Unless I am mistaken, no evidence has been presented. It is obvious that Germany is proceeding down a path of further escalation.”
These comments were echoed by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who said Russia would respond, according to the state news agency Tass. She added that Germany’s actions were being taken “under an absolutely contrived and far‑fetched pretext.”
Germany’s accusation ranks among the most serious recent allegations of Russian subterfuge in Europe, where leaders remain locked in a standoff with Moscow over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
It follows warnings from European officials that Moscow is increasingly conducting small‑scale clandestine attacks against nations supporting Ukraine, such as jamming aviation‑navigation networks over the Baltic Sea, intruding drones into Belgian airspace, and planting explosives on Polish rail lines used to transport military aid.
To punish Russia, the German government said on Tuesday that it would:
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shut down the Russian diplomatic mission in Bonn, the former West German capital
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cancel a contract for a Russian cultural centre in central Berlin
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tighten travel restrictions on Russian citizens entering Germany
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increase pressure on Russia’s so‑called shadow fleet—oil tankers flying under foreign flags that help Russia circumvent embargoes
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request European Union officials to impose additional Europe‑wide sanctions on Russian individuals
The measures were announced a day after Germany criticized the Trump administration’s decision to invite Russia’s finance minister to a G20 summit in North Carolina, the first such invitation since the invasion of Ukraine.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul joined Mr. Dobrindt at the briefing, condemning Russia for rejecting de‑escalation efforts. “The Russian leadership has made a conscious decision to further significantly damage our already heavily strained bilateral relations,” Mr. Wadephul said.
Several European leaders swiftly voiced support for Germany. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in a statement that Britain “stands in full solidarity with Germany following Russia’s egregious and reckless attack.” Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, used similar language to back Berlin and condemn Moscow.
The drone was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany in the early hours of 4 August by an airport worker, who stepped on it to stop it from taking off before calling security. The device was equipped with military‑grade explosives and a faulty detonator, investigators determined.
Security footage later showed the drone crashing into a wing of a large Ukrainian cargo aircraft stationed at the airport. Investigators said the device would have caused significant damage and possibly loss of life had it detonated, as the plane’s fuel tanks are located in that wing.
Shortly thereafter, a separate cargo plane approaching the airport was struck by another object, which investigators identified as a second drone. A third explosive‑laden drone was later discovered in a nearby field.
Officials said the incident was part of a broader pattern of hybrid attacks targeting Germany’s critical infrastructure and defense firms.
“Let me make one thing clear: We are not at war, but we are a daily target of hybrid warfare,” Mr. Dobrindt said.
Hours after the diplomatic announcement, explosions were reported at an electricity substation near a power plant in eastern Germany, close to the Polish border. Jan Redmann, interior minister of the surrounding state, said at least ten homemade incendiary devices were found at the site and described the incident as “targeted sabotage,” without attributing responsibility.
Paul Sonne contributed reporting from Berlin and Michael D. Shear from London.
