The German government officially accused Russia on August 27 of being behind an explosive-laden drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport in the east of the country earlier this month.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the incident occurred on the evening of August 4, when a drone carrying explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian aircraft at the airport and was safely defused. He stressed that the attack matched the pattern of Russia's 'hybrid campaign' that Berlin has repeatedly warned about.
'The German government has concluded that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on August 4,' Dobrindt told an afternoon press conference.
According to German officials, several European countries that support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia have seen a rise in sabotage and attack plots they attribute to Moscow. These incidents are believed to pressure nations backing Kyiv.
Shortly after publishing the investigation's findings, the German government summoned Russia's ambassador in Berlin and informed him of retaliatory diplomatic measures. The European Union and NATO have also expressed their support for Germany in this matter.
The Leipzig/Halle incident is seen as one of the most serious security breaches at German airports since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, raising concerns about increased Russian espionage and sabotage activities on European soil.
