Germany blames Russia for Leipzig Airport drone attack, plans diplomat expulsions

Ukrainian Antonov aircraft at Leipzig Airport. Source: Heiko Rebsch/dpa

The German government has directly blamed Russia for the drone attack on Leipzig Airport. The expulsion of Russian diplomats is reportedly planned. Dobrindt and Wadephul are expected to provide further information in the afternoon.

According to converging information from several media outlets, the German government is convinced that Russia is responsible for the drone incident at Leipzig Airport one month ago. The trail of investigations leads to Russia, sources in security circles said.

WELT and Politico had already reported on the weekend about the preparation of measures against Russia. According to information from Politico and WELT, the details are to be announced this Tuesday. According to Spiegel, the expulsion of Russian diplomats is planned. Initially, neither the ministries nor the Chancellery wanted to comment on the content. The government in Moscow has rejected any responsibility for the incident.

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Asked about possible Russian counter-reactions to German sanctions, Wadephul said on the sidelines of a visit to Algiers on Tuesday morning: "Germany will not be intimidated in any way." He added: "There are no overreactions from our side, but reactions when we are attacked." Russia must know "that Germany is a factor of stability in Europe, always ready for negotiations, but in no way allowing itself to be intimidated." Furthermore, Germany continues to stand firmly by Ukraine's side.

Shortly after the drone incident, emergency services combed the grounds of Leipzig Airport. Source: Hendrik Schmidt/dpa

Chancellor Friedrich Merz had announced on Sunday a prompt response to hybrid threats from Russia, coordinated with international partners. The investigations are nearing completion, the CDU leader said in the ARD summer interview. "We have a broad agreement within the federal government on how to react, and we will make that clear in the coming days," Merz announced. Asked whether Germany could even respond appropriately if Russia is behind the attack, Merz said: "Let's wait and see what an appropriate response means."

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"All spotlights on the shadow fleet"

The so-called Russian shadow fleet could come into focus. On the sidelines of an informal meeting of EU defense ministers on Tuesday in Wicklow, Ireland, Parliamentary State Secretary Sebastian Hartmann said that "all spotlights must be directed at the shadow fleet." With the often dilapidated tankers, Russia circumvents international sanctions and finances its war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates international law.

The EU interior ministers of the Baltic Sea states also discussed the shadow fleet last week. Action against it is to be determined at a further meeting. The ships occasionally sail under a false flag or change it frequently to make identification difficult. European states have so far taken different approaches against them. Inspections, for example on board, move in a legal gray area.