Germany blames Russia for Leipzig drone airport attack, Nato, EU rally behind Berlin

Germany says Russia was behind the attempted Leipzig airport drone attack and announces measures including closing its Bonn consulate, drawing support from Nato and European allies.

In Short

• Germany says intelligence linked the suspects to Russian state agencies
• Ministers says incident matched wider Russian hybrid operations across Europe
• Russia vows to respond after German measures, calls its actions anti-Russian

The German government said on Tuesday that it had concluded Russia was responsible for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport last month and announced a series of measures in response, including the closure of a Russian consulate and a cultural centre in Berlin.

Nato and European countries rallied behind Berlin over what Germany described as part of a broader pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe.

The German government said on Tuesday that it had concluded Russia was responsible for the attempted attack and announced measures including the closure of Russia’s consulate general in Bonn and the termination of Germany’s agreement with the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said intelligence findings indicated that individuals involved in the attack had acted on behalf of Russian state agencies.

“Taken together, police investigations, patterns of the offences and intelligence findings establish Russian responsibility for the attempted attack at Leipzig Airport,” Dobrindt said.

Standing alongside Dobrindt, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany did not view the Leipzig incident as an isolated case.

“It fits into a broader pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe,” Wadephul said.

Wadephul said Germany’s response would include closing Russia’s consulate general in Bonn and terminating its agreement with the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin.

“Germany remains secure, and Germany will defend itself against adversaries who seek to create insecurity,” Wadephul said. “We will not allow Russia’s attacks to divide or intimidate us in our social cohesion.”

Russia said it would respond to Germany’s measures. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Berlin’s move as an “anti-Russian action”, according to Interfax news agency, but did not elaborate.

The Russian Embassy in Berlin had previously dismissed the accusations as a “fabricated provocation” and described them as “a new wave of anti-Russian hysteria in Germany”.

NATO, EUROPEAN COUNTRIES RALLY BEHIND GERMANY

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said he had spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and that NATO stood in “full solidarity” with Germany after what he called the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig on August 4.

“The evidence is clear,” Rutte said, adding that he welcomed the measures announced by Germany in response.

Rutte said Nato would continue to strengthen its ability to deter and defend all allies against any threat, including “malign actions” such as those seen in Leipzig and elsewhere across the alliance.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would discuss the attack on Wednesday with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, while EU foreign ministers would prepare a joint response.

“Looking forward to discussing collective countermeasures at the Gymnich meeting in Ireland tonight and tomorrow,” Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on X. “Full solidarity with Germany.”

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Finland stood in “full solidarity” with its ally Germany after what he called the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.

Stubb said Finland knew the “Russian playbook”, which he said attempted to intimidate European countries and undermine their resolve and willingness to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s invasion.

“It will not succeed,” Stubb said, adding that Finland and its allies would “stand united and deter anyone from attacking our freedom and security”.

He said the strong measures announced by the German government showed that “any action against any one of us will be met with a clear response”. Stubb also said Finland’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression remained unwavering.

Stubb added that he continued to be in close touch with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other allies.

French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed solidarity with Germany, saying Germany had established Russia’s responsibility for the serious incidents that occurred in Leipzig in early August.

“These hybrid attacks are multiplying in Europe. They cannot go unanswered,” Macron said.

Macron said France was “fully in solidarity with Germany” and supported the adoption of new European sanctions against Russia. He said that in the face of the escalation, European countries must remain united and determined and strengthen their support for Ukraine.

“France will continue to play its full part,” Macron said.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in a statement that Britain stood with Germany and that any Russian attempts to undermine support for Ukraine were “doomed to fail”.

Wadephul said Germany would “continue its civilian and military support for Ukraine and will resolutely continue its solidarity with Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s war of aggression”.

Zakharova reiterated on Tuesday that Russia would respond to Germany’s “anti-Russian actions”, according to Interfax, after Berlin said it held Moscow responsible for the attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport last month.

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