6 September 2026 | 14:45

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Accusations by Western countries and by Germany that Moscow was involved in the drone incident at Leipzig airport represent, “essentially, the beginning of a real war.” This warning was voiced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, according to Interfax.

“Leipzig airport… They found some drone. They said it was a Russian drone and no one bothered to verify. This, essentially, is the start of a real war,” said the head of Moscow’s diplomacy.

“They expelled the consulate general from Bonn, announced they had torn up the agreement. They are closing the Russian House in Berlin,” Lavrov emphasized. “I recall that before the start of the Second World War, or rather the Great Patriotic War, the Germans also closed their diplomatic missions.”

Only a few days earlier, there were the not very veiled threats from the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, directed at the Germans: “Berlin has accused Russia of an unproven attack on Leipzig airport. Given the neo‐Nazi and fiercely Russophobic policies of the current German leadership,” Medvedev wrote on Telegram, “an invented act of sabotage is the mildest punishment for their sins. They would deserve a direct attack against all German factories producing weapons and military equipment for the Ukrainian regime. And very likely also against several other places in Berlin.”

Accusations against Moscow and Germany’s measures

The failed attack with an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig airport “was carried out on behalf of Russia.” Less than a week ago, and for the first time since the incident on 4 August, the German government formally attributed responsibility for the attack to Moscow. That announcement provoked anger in Russia—with threats of retaliation—but also drew expressions of solidarity from the European Union and NATO, which now promise a response to the Kremlin’s hybrid tactics.

The conclusions reached by the government were explained by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt at a press conference in Berlin alongside Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.

Dobrindt told journalists that police investigations and intelligence findings point to Russian responsibility for the failed attack. He added that the technology found at the scene and the way the components interacted indicate professional-level capabilities, as well as a high degree of technical knowledge and substantial organizational effort in planning and carrying out the operation.

“The final execution of the attempted attack can be attributed to low-level operatives,” he said. “Let me be clear. We are not at war, but we are targeted daily by a hybrid war.”

As a result, Germany announced the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn—the last Russian consulate in the country—and the termination of the Russian cultural centre in Berlin, Foreign Minister Wadephul reported.

“I have ordered the following measures, in agreement with Chancellor Merz: the Russian Consulate General in Bonn will be closed on 18 September. The contract for the ‘Russian House’ in Berlin will be terminated,” said the German foreign minister.

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