- A drone loaded with explosives was attached to the wing of a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane used to transport weapons to Ukraine. It failed to detonate but could have caused a catastrophe, authorities said.
- German interior minister Alexander Dobrindt and foreign minister Johann Wadephul ended weeks of speculation, blaming Russia for the planned attack, stating that all indications were the Russian state had provided the knowhow and equipment for the attack.
- Germany announced a package of penalty measures, including closing the Russian consulate in Bonn and evicting Russian House from its Berlin building, which is alleged to house Russian spies.
- The European Union (EU) expressed full solidarity with Germany over the attack, and Nato assured Berlin that it would defend its members, with leaders promising support.
- Wadephul stated that Russia will face a package of penalty measures, emphasizing the need for appropriate action in response to this hybrid attack.
- A clampdown on Russia’s shadow fleet, illegal ships carrying Russian oil and other supplies, is also planned, along with tighter border controls for Russians entering Germany.
- Berlin is backing the European Commission’s 22nd package of sanctions, which will cover a further 1,600 companies and organisations with a Russian connection.
Germany has officially blamed Russia for a drone attack at Leipzig airport, which involved an explosive-laden drone attached to a Ukrainian cargo plane. The attack, which failed to detonate, was described as a potential catastrophe by authorities.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that the Russian state provided the necessary expertise and equipment for the attack, with low-level agents executing the plan. Wadephul emphasized the need for a proportionate response to this hybrid warfare, asserting, “We are not at war, but we are a daily target of hybrid warfare.”2
In response, Germany will implement a series of punitive measures against Russia, including the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and the eviction of the Russian House in Berlin, which is suspected of harboring spies. Wadephul noted that the government is also preparing to blacklist additional individuals and tighten border controls for Russians entering Germany.3
The EU and NATO have expressed their support for Germany, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte affirming that Berlin has presented clear evidence of Moscow's involvement in the attack. Rutte welcomed the announced measures, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged to maintain EU unity in the face of escalating threats.4
In a retaliatory statement, Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned Germany's actions as “anti-Russian” and indicated that Moscow would respond accordingly.
“The drone, attached to a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane, failed to detonate but could have caused a catastrophe. Germany plans to close the Russian consulate in Bonn, evict Russian House from Berlin, and back the EU's 22nd sanctions package covering 1,600 companies.”
The Guardian
