Germany on Tuesday accused Russia of orchestrating an attempted explosives-laden drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport, announcing the closure of Moscow’s consulate in Bonn and its Russian House cultural center in Berlin in response.
The drone was found near a Ukrainian plane on the evening of Aug. 4 and the device was defused.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that the attempted attack fits into 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 Aug. 4.”
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that the Russian consulate in Bonn will be closed effective Sept. 18 and the contract under which the Russian House, a cultural center in Berlin, is operated will be rescinded.
Leipzig/Halle is a major hub for international freight and for providing support to Ukraine. The planes that regularly use it include Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft.
