Germany holds Russia responsible for the Leipzig drone and will shut the Bonn consulate
Germany said on Tuesday that responsibility for the explosive-laden drone found beside a Ukrainian aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport on the evening of 4 August rests with Russia. Johann Wadephul said the Russian ambassador had been summoned, that the Bonn consulate general will close on 18 September, and that the lease for the Russian House in Berlin will be ended. Emmanuel Macron backed new European sanctions; Maria Zakharova said Moscow would respond to Berlin's step.
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Alexander Dobrindt ties the attempt to Russia
Alexander Dobrindt said in Berlin on Tuesday that responsibility for the explosive-laden drone found beside a Ukrainian aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport on the evening of 4 August, and later defused, rests with Russia. The interior minister said police investigations, patterns of the offences and intelligence findings together establish that conclusion, and that German authorities do not treat the attempt as an isolated incident but as part of a broader pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe. Dobrindt said the drone's configuration, components, explosives and detonator are known from other Russian hybrid operations and from Russia's war against Ukraine, and that people acting on behalf of Russian state entities were involved, without naming which entities.[1], [2]
The Bonn consulate will close on 18 September
Johann Wadephul said the Russian ambassador had been summoned to the foreign ministry. He said the Russian consulate general in Bonn will close on 18 September and that the contract under which the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin is operated will be rescinded. Wadephul said the Russian leadership had decided deliberately to do significant damage again to an already heavily strained bilateral relationship. Leipzig/Halle is a major hub for international freight and for flights that support Ukraine.[1], [2]
Emmanuel Macron backs new sanctions
Germany said it would seek additional sanctions and travel restrictions on Russian nationals through the European Union framework, step up entry controls for people from Russia, and raise pressure on Russia's shadow fleet. Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday he supported the adoption of new European sanctions against Russia. Ursula von der Leyen wrote that the bloc is united in its resolve to stand against Russian aggression and that it is preparing additional sanctions. Maria Zakharova, according to Interfax, said Moscow would respond to what she called Berlin's anti-Russian action.[1], [2]
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