BERLIN, Sept 2: Germany has accused Russia of being behind an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month, escalating tensions between Berlin and Moscow, Al Jazeera reported.
According to Al Jazeera, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Tuesday that Germany’s intelligence services had determined that an explosive-laden drone found at the airport was consistent with Russian technology.
The announcement prompted Germany to take diplomatic measures against Russia. Berlin said it would close a Russian consulate and take further steps against Moscow, Al Jazeera stated.
What happened at Leipzig airport?
An employee spotted an explosives-laden drone near a Ukrainian Antonov Airlines cargo plane at Leipzig Halle Airport on August 4, according to Al Jazeera.
The discovery forced the airport, a major cargo hub in eastern Germany, to temporarily shut down. Police brought in an explosives disposal robot to examine and defuse the device.
Al Jazeera reported that a second drone was also reportedly destroyed after colliding with an aircraft near the airport.
Why does Germany blame Russia?
Finland says unidentified drone suspected of violating airspace
Dobrindt said investigators had found that the drone’s configuration and components resembled technology used by Russia in its war against Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported.
According to the German minister, police investigations, intelligence findings and the pattern of the incident together pointed to Russian responsibility.
However, the German authorities have not publicly released detailed evidence linking the drone directly to Moscow.
Dobrindt said the operation appeared to involve highly skilled technical expertise, although the people carrying it out may have been lower level agents acting for Russian state entities, according to Al Jazeera.
What has Germany done?
Germany has summoned the Russian ambassador and announced a series of measures in response.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Russia’s consulate general in Bonn and the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin would be closed. Germany also plans to seek additional EU sanctions and travel restrictions on Russian nationals.
Berlin has also said it will increase pressure on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, according to Al Jazeera.
How has Russia responded?
Russia has rejected Germany’s accusations.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would respond to what she described as Berlin’s anti-Russian actions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also rejected the accusations, calling Germany’s measures a serious mistake. He suggested that Berlin had fabricated evidence against Russia to strengthen domestic political support, according to Al Jazeera.
What does Europe say?
Germany’s accusations come as several European countries have reported an increase in sabotage attempts and other activities they attribute to Russia.
Berlin says the Leipzig incident fits a broader pattern of Russian hybrid operations designed to intimidate European countries supporting Ukraine.
Germany’s NATO allies have backed Berlin, while European officials are expected to discuss a joint response.
Ukraine has also welcomed Germany’s decision to take a tougher position against Moscow, according to Al Jazeera.
The wider concern
The incident has raised concerns across Europe about covert operations that fall below the threshold of open military conflict.
Al Jazeera reported that European governments have increasingly accused Russia of using sabotage, cyberattacks, espionage, disinformation and other forms of covert activity to weaken support for Ukraine.
Germany has been one of Ukraine’s major European supporters, providing military assistance and working with Kyiv on air defence and weapons production.
Berlin argues that the Leipzig incident should therefore be viewed in the wider context of Russia’s war against Ukraine and its alleged attempts to undermine European support for Kyiv.
