Germany has blamed Russia for an attempted explosive drone attack targeted at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month.
The device was discovered near an aircraft from Ukraine on the evening of 4 August and defused.
German interior minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that the event corresponds with a known pattern of “Russian hybrid operations.”
He said the German government “comes to the conclusion that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on 4 August.
“We assume that Germany is the target of further hybrid attacks by Russia,” he added.
Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephu, has ordered a series of measures in response, including the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn along with the Russian House, a cultural centre in Berlin.
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte said “the evidence was clear” and he welcomed the measures after speaking with German chancellor Friedrich Merz.
He wrote on X: “Nato will continue to strengthen our ability to deter and defend all Allies against any threat – including malign actions like those seen in Leipzig and elsewhere across the Alliance.
“Russia’s attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our unity and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and will fail. Our support to Ukraine is unwavering, as is our ironclad commitment to Nato’s collective defence.”
He is due to meet with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to discuss the issue on Wednesday.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow…
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