Germany publicly blamed Russia on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said police investigations, the pattern of the attack and intelligence findings point to Russian responsibility, and raised Germany’s threat level assessment from “general” to “high.” “We are not at war, but we are a daily target of hybrid attacks,” he said.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin, and Germany is tightening controls on Russians entering the country. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said European foreign ministers would announce a “clear response,” including additional sanctions.
A drone carrying explosives was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane at the airport on August 4, and the device was defused. On August 5, a second flying object hit a cargo plane near the airport, causing minor damage. Russia called the accusation absurd. The federal prosecutor’s investigation is continuing.
Sources: AP via News4Jax, SCMP.
