Germany accuses Russia of drone attack on Leipzig airport

DEVELOPING STORY, Findings announced as European countries report an increase in sabotage attacks and attempts that they blame on Russia.The German government has accused Russia of being behind an attempted drone attack on a major regional airport last month.Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Tuesday that the attempted attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany using a drone laden with explosives fits a known pattern of “Russian hybrid operations”.“Taken ‌together, police investigations, patterns of the offences and intelligence findings establish Russian responsibility for the attempted attack,” he said, standing alongside Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.The drone was found at the airport near a Ukrainian plane on the evening of August 4 and defused.The findings were announced as several European countries that are providing Ukraine with support as it defends itself against Russia’s invasion have reported an increase in sabotage attacks and attempts that they blame on Russia.Dobrindt said German authorities do not view the attack as an isolated incident. “It fits into a ⁠broader pattern of Russian hybrid ⁠operations in Europe,” he asserted.Wadephul said Germany will take a series of diplomatic measures in response.The Russian ambassador has been summoned while Russia’s consulate general ⁠in Bonn and its Russian House cultural centre ⁠in Berlin will be shuttered, he said.Through the European Union framework, Germany will also seek additional sanctions and travel restrictions on Russian nationals, and pressure will also be raised on Russia’s “shadow fleet”, Wadephul said.Reacting ‌to Germany’s announcement, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Moscow would respond to what she called ‌Berlin’s “anti-Russian ‌action”, according to the Interfax news agency.The EU and NATO have been quick to pledge support for Berlin.“We are united in our resolve to stand against Russian aggression. We will deter anyone who seeks to undermine our freedom and security,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on social media.She added that the European bloc is preparing additional sanctions against Moscow.