Germany has ordered the closure of Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn and announced additional measures against Moscow after concluding that Russian state actors were behind an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month.

The German government announced the measures on Tuesday, September 1, following investigations into a drone carrying explosives that was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at the airport on August 4. German officials said the device was successfully defused after its detonator failed to work.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said intelligence and police investigations had led the government to conclude that Russia was responsible for what Berlin described as a “hybrid attack” in Leipzig.

The incident has significantly increased diplomatic tensions between Germany and Russia, with Berlin accusing Moscow of expanding its alleged campaign of sabotage and other hybrid operations against European countries.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced that Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn would be closed effective September 18. Germany will also terminate the contract allowing Russia to operate the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin.

Berlin said it would additionally summon the Russian ambassador and introduce tighter measures concerning the entry of Russian nationals into Germany.

Berlin accuses Moscow, Russia rejects allegations

German authorities said their conclusion was based on intelligence findings, forensic examination of the drone and components recovered from the device, as well as comparisons with equipment involved in other suspected Russian hybrid operations.

Dobrindt said investigators had identified individuals who allegedly acted on behalf of Russian state structures. He described the planning of the operation as professional, while indicating that its direct execution appeared to have been carried out by lower-level operatives.

The drone was reportedly discovered in a restricted area of Leipzig/Halle Airport close to Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft. Because of the explosive device, the incident was treated as a serious security threat.

German officials have also linked the episode to a wider pattern of suspected Russian activities across Europe, including cyberattacks, sabotage and attempts to interfere with critical infrastructure.

Wadephul said Germany would continue supporting Ukraine and would push for further European measures against Russia. Germany is also seeking additional European Union sanctions and other restrictions targeting individuals connected to Moscow.

The European Union has since begun discussions on possible additional measures. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the incident as a wake-up call, while European officials considered expanding sanctions and other non-military responses to suspected Russian hybrid operations.

Russia, however, has strongly rejected Germany’s accusations.

The Russian Embassy in Berlin described the allegations as unsubstantiated and absurd, while Moscow warned that Germany’s decision to close the consulate represented a serious escalation in already strained relations between the two countries.

Russian officials have also indicated that Moscow could respond with similar diplomatic measures against Germany.

The Leipzig/Halle Airport incident has drawn particular attention because the airport is an important European cargo hub and is used for Ukrainian transport operations. German authorities have therefore treated the discovery of an explosive-laden drone near Ukrainian aircraft as a potentially serious security incident.

The German government has warned that the country could face further hybrid attacks and said it intends to strengthen its intelligence capabilities, defensive measures and protection of critical infrastructure.

Germany’s decision to close the Bonn consulate represents another significant deterioration in diplomatic relations between Berlin and Moscow, which have already been severely strained by Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The closure is scheduled to take effect on September 18, while the German government’s other measures, including tighter entry controls and action against Russian-linked activities, are expected to form part of a broader response to what Berlin considers an escalating security threat.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has expressed support for Germany’s assessment and response, while European governments have also voiced solidarity with Berlin.

The European Union is now considering what additional measures it can take against Russia without triggering a direct military confrontation.

For Germany, the incident has become another example of what it describes as Russia’s broader use of hybrid tactics against European states, while Moscow continues to deny involvement and accuses Berlin of using unproven allegations to worsen bilateral relations.

The diplomatic dispute is expected to remain a major issue in Germany’s relations with Russia as European governments continue debating how best to respond to suspected Russian sabotage and other hostile activities.