The Kremlin has denied Germany’s longstanding accusations that Moscow has been targeting the NATO member—which backs Ukraine in its fight against Russia with a campaign of hybrid attacks that include espionage and sabotage.
For months, Germany has been reporting suspicious drone sightings over military and industrial sites, but an incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport on the night of 4-5 August raised concerns when a drone found there was carrying explosives. The police utilised a robot to neutralise the explosive device discovered close to a Ukrainian cargo plane. A second drone was allegedly found weeks later near the airport, also containing traces of an explosive substance.
The eastern German airport is crucial for transporting military goods for both the German military and NATO allies, and it also serves as a base for Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines. On Tuesday, Germany’s Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, said Berlin would take action against Russia “as the perpetrator of the hybrid attack in Leipzig.
Wadephul announced that Russia’s consulate in Bonn and its cultural centre in Berlin would be shut down in response to the incident. The Russian general consulate in Bonn will be shut down by 18 September, he said, adding that tighter border controls for Russian nationals would also be introduced in the future, along with increased pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet.
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