The German government announced it has concluded Russia was behind the attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport last month and unveiled a set of retaliatory measures.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said intelligence indicates the individuals involved 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,” he said.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described the incident as part of a broader pattern of “hybrid” operations by Russia across Europe. He said the government would not treat the Leipzig incident as isolated and signalled a firm response to what Berlin considers efforts to threaten critical infrastructure and undermine support for Ukraine.
As immediate steps, Germany will close Russia’s consulate general in Bonn and terminate the agreement with the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin. Officials also said they will press the European Union to add more names to sanctions lists, impose travel restrictions on Russian nationals, and increase pressure on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
Wadephul stressed Germany’s resolve: the country remains secure and will defend itself against actors who seek to create insecurity or fracture social cohesion. He reiterated that Berlin will continue both civilian and military support for Ukraine.
European leaders expressed support for Germany. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would raise the matter with NATO and work with EU foreign ministers on a coordinated response. Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski pledged full solidarity with Germany, and British officials likewise affirmed their backing, saying attempts to weaken Western support for Ukraine would fail.
Moscow has pushed back. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned Moscow would respond to what she called Berlin’s “anti-Russian action,” while the Russian Embassy in Berlin earlier described the accusations as a “fabricated provocation” and part of a new wave of anti-Russian hysteria in Germany.
German officials framed the incident as symptomatic of a growing threat from hybrid attacks that target infrastructure, defence-related companies and states supporting Ukraine. Berlin’s announced measures aim to signal both deterrence and a coordinated European reaction as governments prepare further steps and consultations in the coming days.