Germany has formally blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month, after a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered close to Ukrainian cargo aircraft at the major European freight hub.
The drone was found at the airport in eastern Germany on 4 August. According to the BBC, the explosive did not detonate after its detonator apparently malfunctioned. Investigators also believe that a second drone collided with a cargo aircraft in the vicinity of the airport.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the incident reflected what he described as the “well-established pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe”. He added that Germany was operating on the assumption that the country could face another such incident.
The accusation follows earlier speculation among security experts about possible Russian involvement. Moscow, however, has rejected claims that it was behind the incident, according to the BBC.
Germany has also announced measures in response to the attack. The government is closing Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn, according to a post on X by Bastian Brauns, who cited Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaking in Berlin.
The incident has drawn strong reactions from senior European officials, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte describing the incident as a Russian hybrid attack and expressing solidarity with Germany.
Von der Leyen said on X that she had spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about what she called the “hybrid attack at Leipzig airport”.
“I assured him that the EU stands in full solidarity with Germany in the face of this attack by Russia,” von der Leyen said.
She added that the European Union would remain united in the face of what she described as “escalating and serious acts”, stressing that “hybrid attacks will not go without a clear response”.
The European response could also extend to further sanctions. Von der Leyen said additional measures would be discussed by European foreign ministers as governments consider how to respond to the incident.
The attempted attack is particularly significant because Leipzig/Halle is one of Europe’s major cargo airports, making the presence of an explosive-carrying drone near Ukrainian freight aircraft a serious security concern for both aviation and logistics operations.
