Germany has directly accused Russia of being behind an alleged attempted drone attack near Leipzig/Halle Airport, adding another serious episode to the growing confrontation between Berlin and Moscow.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the incident fits what he described as Russia’s pattern of covert operations across Europe.
The incident took place overnight on August 4–5, when a drone carrying explosive equipment was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft. German police used a robot to safely disable it.
Weeks later, another drone was found near the same airport, reportedly containing traces of an explosive substance.
The location is particularly significant. Leipzig/Halle Airport plays an important role in the transportation of military equipment from Germany and other NATO countries and is also used by Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines.
Berlin has responded with diplomatic measures against Moscow. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced that Russia’s consulate in Bonn will be closed by September 18, along with the Russian Science and Culture Center in Berlin.
Germany has also been reporting suspicious drone activity around military and industrial facilities for months.
Moscow, however, has repeatedly rejected German accusations of involvement in such attacks and covert operations.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Russia is intensifying its hybrid attacks against European countries.
“Russia wants to frighten us so that we stop supporting Ukraine. It will not succeed.”
Kallas added that the European Union will continue supporting Ukraine and is preparing further sanctions against Russia.
The message from Berlin and Brussels is increasingly clear: Europe is no longer treating suspicious drone incidents as isolated events, but as part of a broader Russian pressure campaign against European security.
