Chilling message from Moscow; Germany says: "We are a war target"

The attempted bombing at Leipzig/Halle Airport has triggered a sharp response from Germany and the European Union, after a drone carrying around half a kilogram of plastic explosives was found on airport grounds.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas summoned Russia’s envoy to the EU for talks, saying there were, in her words, “all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism.”

The drone was found on the ground on August 4 near several Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft that transport weapons and ammunition from EU countries to Ukraine. Initial reports said the drone had struck one of the aircraft, but the explosives did not detonate. German authorities later confirmed that the device was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane and was safely defused.

German media reported a day later that the Antonov was empty at the time and that the ammunition had been unloaded beforehand.

Berlin accuses Moscow

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the type and configuration of the drone, its components, explosives and detonator technology matched elements known from other Russian hybrid warfare operations.

According to Dobrindt, deploying such a drone would have required a high level of technical expertise and significant organizational effort.

Dobrindt nevertheless said the attack itself could have been carried out by lower-level operatives.

The German government believes the country was the target of a Russian hybrid attack and that similar incidents could occur again.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany is not at war with Russia, but it is a “war target.”

Berlin has announced the closure of Russia’s consulate general in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin, as well as tighter entry restrictions for Russian nationals.

Putin: “A serious mistake”

Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected Berlin’s accusations and called the German government’s move a “serious mistake.”

Putin accused Germany of fabricating evidence to shift responsibility for the incident onto Moscow, arguing that Berlin’s response was driven by domestic political considerations.

Former Russian president and senior official Dmitry Medvedev went a step further, saying Germany deserved a “direct strike” on military production facilities, as well as on several sites in Berlin.

Medvedev accused German authorities of fabricating the incident and described Germany’s current leadership as “neo-Nazi” and fiercely “Russophobic”.

EU steps up pressure

France followed Kaja Kallas’ lead, while Finland and Belgium announced similar measures.

Germany’s foreign minister said he would propose expanding sanctions against Russia at an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Ireland.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed the announced measures, saying the Alliance stands in full solidarity with Germany.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said the EU stands with Berlin and promised a “clear response” to hybrid attacks.

Germany has meanwhile announced additional measures to protect energy and other critical infrastructure against possible new hybrid attacks.