Germany Blames Russia For Explosive Drone Attack, Closes Consulate

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

BERLIN/MOSCOW (Worthy News) – Germany has accused Russia of carrying out a “hybrid attack” involving an explosives-laden drone found near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport, prompting Berlin to close a Russian consulate and cultural center.

Authorities said the drone, discovered August 4, was carrying explosives and was found near a Ukrainian aircraft at the eastern German airport, a major cargo hub also used by Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines and for NATO-related military transports.

Police deployed a robot to defuse the device, authorities said. The incident followed months of concern over suspicious drone activity around military and industrial facilities in Germany.

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

RUSSIA BLAMED FOR DRONE ATTACK

“We do not view the Leipzig incident in isolation, but rather see it in the context of other hybrid actions,” Dobrindt added. “We assume that Germany is the target of further hybrid attacks by Russia.”

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the incident “fits into a broader pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe.”

Germany announced that the Russian Consulate in Bonn would close on September 18 and that the arrangement under which the Russia House cultural center operates in Berlin would be terminated. Wadephul also announced tighter entry controls for Russian nationals and said Berlin would seek additional European Union sanctions against Russian individuals.

Moscow rejected the allegations. Russian Ambassador Sergei Nechayev dismissed them as “unsubstantiated, absurd, and contrary to common sense,” while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Germany of pursuing “a path of further escalation.”

MOSCOW REJECTS GERMAN CLAIMS

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Berlin of having “invented a pretext” to close Russia House and warned that Moscow would respond to Germany’s measures.

The escalating diplomatic dispute came as German authorities investigated a separate sabotage attack near the Jänschwalde coal-fired power plant about 100 kilometers (62 miles) southeast of Berlin.

Officials said specially designed projectiles carrying conductive material were fired into extra-high-voltage power lines, causing two short circuits, while investigators discovered a double-digit number of devices at the site.

The attack briefly disrupted operations and forced one unit at the Jänschwalde plant to shut down, but grid operator 50Hertz said the general electricity supply was not affected.

GERMANY PROBES POWER GRID SABOTAGE

Brandenburg state Interior Minister Jan Redmann said investigators had not ruled out involvement by a foreign power or left-wing extremists. Authorities have not attributed the sabotage to Russia or any other country or organization.

The incidents have heightened concerns about suspected Russian hybrid operations across Europe and fears that Moscow could eventually test NATO’s collective defense commitments more directly.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed “full solidarity” with Germany and pledged that the alliance would “continue to strengthen our ability to deter and defend all Allies against any threat — including malign actions like those seen in Leipzig and elsewhere.”

“Russia’s attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our unity and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and will fail,” Rutte wrote on social media. “Our support to Ukraine is unwavering, as is our ironclad commitment to NATO’s collective defense.”

NATO, EU BACK GERMANY

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed “full solidarity” with Germany, warning that “hybrid attacks will not go without a clear response.”

“Russia is seeking to sow distrust and fear among our societies. But it will fail,” she said, adding that the EU would continue supporting Ukraine as it fights Russia’s full-scale invasion.

EU officials were considering further sanctions against Moscow, including measures targeting Russian defense-linked individuals and entities and those accused of involvement in the abduction of Ukrainian children.

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