Medvedev Threatens ‘Direct Strike’ on German Military Factories, Hints at Attacks on Berlin

Russia’s top security official Dmitry Medvedev has threatened Germany with a “direct strike” on its military production facilities and hinted that targets in Berlin could also be attacked. “They deserve a direct strike on all German military equipment production facilities for the Banderite clique,” Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, wrote on Telegram.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “And quite possibly, some other places in Berlin as well,” he added. His remarks came after Germany accused Russia of being behind a drone attack on Leipzig Airport on Aug. 4. Medvedev also escalated his threats against Western officials supporting Ukraine, calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s warnings to foreign airlines a “declaration by the Banderite regime of state terrorism.” “Every act of terrorism has sponsors. At the moment, these are the leaders of Western countries, primarily European ones,” Medvedev wrote. He then appeared to threaten Western officials traveling to Ukraine. “And they often travel to Kyiv by train...” he wrote, without elaborating. Germany concludes Russia behind attempted drone attack Germany on Sept. 1 accused Russia of organizing the drone attack on Leipzig Airport and announced a series of measures against Moscow. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin would close Russia’s consulate in Bonn later this month and terminate an agreement covering the Russian House cultural center in Berlin. Other Topics of Interest Fire Erupts at Russian Rocket Engine Plant in Perm The plant produces engines for Proton and Angara rockets and is part of the state-run Roscosmos space corporation. No casualties were reported. Germany will also tighten entry controls for Russian nationals and push for additional EU sanctions against Russian individuals. The Russian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry. Berlin also said it would increase pressure on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, used to circumvent Western sanctions imposed over Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU expressed “full solidarity” with Germany, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would strengthen its ability to deter and defend against threats. The accusations mark a further deterioration in already strained relations between Berlin and Moscow. Germany has been one of Ukraine’s key European military supporters and has supplied Kyiv with air defense systems, ammunition and other weapons. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, claimed the German government was using the threat of an “aggressive Russia” to explain the country’s domestic economic and political problems. Medvedev, who served as Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012, has become one of Moscow’s most outspoken figures when issuing threats against Ukraine and its Western allies. Ukrainian aircraft near apparent target The Aug. 4 drone incident in Leipzig caused particular alarm because Leipzig/Halle Airport is a major logistics hub used for military transport by Germany and NATO allies and serves as a base for Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines. Police used a robot to defuse the explosive device after the drone was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo plane. Another drone was reportedly found near the airport weeks later with traces of explosives. Germany has recorded repeated suspicious drone activity around military bases, industrial facilities and other critical infrastructure amid growing concern over Russian sabotage and espionage operations across Europe. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said last week that Germany had “found itself in the crosshairs of hybrid attackers” and warned that those responsible would “pay for them.” Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.