Germany on Tuesday formally held Russia responsible for an attempted explosive-drone attack at a strategic airport used by Ukrainian and NATO-linked aircraft, ending weeks of reluctance to publicly name Moscow and announcing retaliatory measures. The move marks a significant hardening of Berlin’s response to Russian hybrid operations as Moscow increasingly targets European countries supporting Ukraine.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “The government concludes that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on Aug. 4,” Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said. Germany said its assessment was based on police investigations, intelligence and the technology used in the drone, which was carrying explosives when it was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Dobrindt said the drone’s components, explosives and ignition systems were familiar from other Russian hybrid operations and from Moscow’s war against Ukraine. “We do not view the Leipzig incident in isolation, but rather see it in the context of other hybrid actions,” he said. “We assume that Germany is the target of further hybrid attacks by Russia. We are not at war, but we are a daily target of hybrid warfare.” Berlin moves against Moscow Germany responded by announcing a series of measures targeting Russia’s diplomatic and influence networks. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin would close Russia’s consulate in the former West German capital Bonn later this month and terminate the agreement covering the Russian House cultural center in Berlin.