Germany directly blames Russia for attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport
Dobrindt says specifically that “the means used to carry out the act” of sabotage in Leipzig – and he lists the drone’s configuration, various components used and explosives – “are known to us from other hybrid operations conducted by Russia and its war against Ukraine.”
He says “the attempted attack at Leipzig Airport on 4 August fits the established pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe.”
He concludes directly that “the German government therefore concludes that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on 4 August.”
Key events
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UK ‘stands in full solidarity’ with Germany, Burnham says
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‘Russia must stop its war … instead of escalating,’ EU’s Costa says
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Germany directly blames Russia for attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport
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Jakub Krupa
And, on that note, we will be closing the blog for today.
The German government has blamed Russia for the drone attack on Leipzig airport last month, calling it “dangerous behaviour” and part of a systematic and concerted effort by Moscow to “cause great damage” through hybrid attacks in Europe (17:41).
German foreign and interior ministers said the attempted attack fitted a broader pattern of Russian behaviour across Europe (17:38), warning Germany is “not at war, but we are a daily target of hybrid warfare” (17:43).
Berlin ordered Russia to close its remaining consulate in Bonn and its Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin as part of a package of retaliatory measures (17:46, 19:19).
The ministers also insisted Germany will continue its support for Ukraine (17:49).
In a coordinated show of support, Nato, EU and national leaders rallied behind Germany, joining in condemning Moscow’s hybrid attacks in Europe (17:50, 17:53, 18:00, 18:01, 18:09, 18:32, 18:37, 18:52, 18:54, 19:24, 19:25).
Russia’s foreign ministry said it would respond to “all anti-Russian actions” in due course (18:14).
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will hold talks with Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte on Wednesday to discuss this issue, among others (12:17), while EU ministers are set to hold talks in Ireland.
Elsewhere,
Several devices – believed to be in “double digits” – were found near a power substation in the eastern region of Brandenburg in what investigators believe was an attempt to cause a power outage in the region (14:38, 16:57, 17:15, 17:26).
At least 12 people were killed in Russian overnight attacks on Ukraine with “dozens” more injured (9:52, 10:34).
Separately,
King Haakon VIII swore an oath of allegiance before Norway’s parliament in the first major stage in the passing of the crown since the death of his father after 35 years on the throne (12:39, 12:59, 13:01, 13:09, 13:13, 13:15, 13:20, 13:32).
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at jakub.krupa@theguardian.com.
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
ShareUK ‘stands in full solidarity’ with Germany, Burnham says
Britain’s prime minister Andy Burnham also offered his support for Germany.
In a statement, he said:
“The United Kingdom stands in full solidarity with Germany following Russia’s egregious and reckless attack in Leipzig.
Russian attempts to undermine our united resolve and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and doomed to fail.
As I made clear in Kyiv last week, our commitment to supporting Ukraine from Russia’s illegal invasion is ironclad.
The strong measures taken by the German government show action against any attack of this nature will be met with a clear response.
We will not waver in our resolve to deter attacks on our freedom and security.”
Share‘Russia considers itself at war with Europe, even if Europe does not see itself at war with Russia,’ Ukraine’s FM warns
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha warned that “Russia’s hybrid attack at the Leipzig airport is part of its aggressive strategy toward Germany and the rest of Europe.”
“Acts of sabotage, disinformation, election meddling, espionage, attack on critical infrastructure and industrial facilities. These are not incidents, but part of Russia’s deliberate strategy. And they cannot go unpunished, because this will only fuel the aggressor’s appetite. We express solidarity with Germany and call for strong responses to Russia’s brazen actions, including additional sanctions.”
He added that “Europe needs a decisive strategy to counter Russian threats, especially ahead of next year’s elections throughout Europe.”
“Ukraine stands ready to share its vast experience and protect Euro-Atlantic stability. The reality is that Russia considers itself at war with Europe. Even if Europe does not see itself at war with Russia. Supporting Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia are the best responses to Leipzig and other similar incidents.”
The Bonn consulate – which will now have to close by 18 September – is Russia’s last remaining consular post in Germany, aside from its embassy in Berlin.
It’s the latest escalation in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In 2023, the German foreign ministry revoked the licences for four other Russian consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and Leipzig, after Moscow moved to cap the number of German officials allowed in Russia and Germany had to shut its own consulates in Kaliningrad, Ekaterinburg, and Novosibirsk.
At the moment, Germany still has two diplomatic outposts in Russia: its main embassy in Moscow and its last remaining consulate in St Petersburg. It also has three honorary consults in Kazan, Saratov and Vladivostok, its website shows.
Following today’s decision, it’s probably not entirely unreasonable to suspect Russia may target that St Petersburg post as part of its response.
ShareJakub Krupa
A big question now: will Donald Trump also join allies in condemning Russia’s actions?
And if he doesn’t, should it be read as in any way significant when judging the US commitment to Nato and its Article Five?
Updated at 13.06 EDT
‘The security of our allies is the security of us all,’ Meloni says as she backs Germany’s measures against Russia
Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni also throws her support behind Germany’s actions.
“Italy stands in full solidarity with Germany after the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.
The security of our Allies is the security of us all. Attempts to intimidate us or to drive a wedge between Allies will not succeed: hybrid actions against any one of us are a matter of concern for all of us, and will be met with a united response.
At times like this, it is essential to remain steadfast, to keep working closely together, and to maintain a credible posture of deterrence in defence of our citizens’ security.”
Share‘Russia must stop its war … instead of escalating,’ EU’s Costa says
European Council president António Costa is the latest European leader to offer solidarity with Germany and condemn Russia’s actions.
In a statement, he said:
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s attempted drone attack at Leipzig Airport. Russia must stop its war of aggression against Ukraine, instead of escalating.
The EU stands in full solidarity with Germany.
The EU remains strong and united and Russia will not prevail. Our support to Ukraine is unwavering. We will work with Germany and other Member States to ramp up the pressure on Russia until it shows a willingness to change course.”
Updated at 12.53 EDT
Hungary ‘deeply concerned by growing number and intensity of Russian hybrid activities,’ minister says
Hungarian deputy prime minister and foreign minister Anita Orbán said that Budapest is “deeply concerned by the growing number and intensity of Russian hybrid activities on European soil.”
“Recent incidents in Germany demonstrate an increasingly dangerous and reckless pattern of behaviour that poses a serious threat to European security and resilience.
Hungary stands in full solidarity with Germany and is ready to support our partner in countering hybrid threats.
In the face of these challenges, strengthening the resilience, unity and collective preparedness of the European Union and Nato is more important than ever.”
Share‘Russia will not win this war,’ Poland’s Tusk says
Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk is the latest leader to comment on Germany’s move to name Russia as responsible for the Leipzig attack.
In a post on X, he said:
“Poland, the Baltic states, Romania, and now Germany. Russia is escalating tension across the whole region. We’ll not be intimidated and our response will be our continued support for Ukraine and full coordination of NATO states against the aggressor. Russia will not win this war.”
ShareMoscow to ‘respond to all anti-Russian actions,’ foreign ministry says
Russian foreign ministry told Interfax news agency that Russia “will respond to all anti-Russian actions” after Germany’s move to publicly blame Moscow for last month’s Leipzig drone attack.
Several other EU leaders have issued their versions of the statement, which in many parts are almost exactly the same.
Sweden’s Ulf Kristersson says he will chair a meeting of the National Security Council tomorrow to discuss Stockholm’s response to the incident.
“We are united, and we will continue to stand up for our ally and neighbour,” he says.
Lithuania’s president Gitanas Nausėda also says he assured chancellor Merz of Vilnius’s “full solidarity.”
“The strong measures taken by the German government show: Hybrid action against any one of us will be met with a clear response. Anyone who attacks us will pay a price,” he says.
Share‘We know the Russian playbook,’ Finland’s Stubb says, as he warns Moscow ‘will not succeed’
Finland’s influential president Alexander Stubb also joins in, warning Moscow that “we know the Russian playbook.”
He says:
“Finland stands in full solidarity with its ally Germany after the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.
We know the Russian playbook. It attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our resolve and our willingness to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. It will not succeed.
We will stand united and deter anyone from attacking our freedom and security.
As the strong measures announced by the German government show, any action against any one of us will be met with a clear response.
Our commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s aggression is unwavering.
I continue to be in close touch with Chancellor Merz and other Allies.”
ShareEU ministers to discuss next steps tonight and tomorrow, Poland’s Sikorski says
Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski also backs Germany’s statement and says EU foreign ministers will discuss the next steps during their meeting in Ireland tonight and tomorrow.
He says:
“Poland stands foursquare behind every ally attacked by Russia’s hybrid war. In this case, full solidarity with Germany. Looking forward to discussing collective countermeasures at the Gymnich meeting in Ireland tonight and tomorrow.”
Sikorski has a history with closing down Russian consulates in response to what Poland said were Russian-inspired acts of sabotage in Poland.