Bulgaria Stands With Germany After Russia's Attack on Leipzig

Bulgaria has expressed solidarity with Germany following what Berlin described as a hybrid attack involving a drone discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport, saying attacks against European partners and allies are unacceptable.

“Hybrid attacks against our partners and allies are unacceptable,” Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on X. The ministry added that Bulgaria would continue to support strong and coordinated efforts to counter hybrid threats and protect shared security.

The statement came after Germany publicly accused Russia of being behind the attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the incident fit the pattern of what he called “Russian hybrid operations” and warned that Germany could be targeted by further such attacks.

The drone was discovered near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft and was subsequently neutralized. Investigators reportedly found a DNA trace on the device that could be linked to a specific individual, while local media reported that at least one person connected to Russian intelligence had been identified during the investigation.

Leipzig/Halle Airport is a major international cargo hub and plays an important role in transporting equipment to Ukraine. It is also the headquarters of NATO's Strategic Airlift International Program, which conducts frequent missions to supply NATO battle groups along the alliance's eastern flank, from Finland to Romania, as well as other EU and NATO missions.

The German government has responded with measures aimed at Moscow. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the Russian consulate in Bonn would be closed from September 18 and that the agreement allowing the Russian House cultural center in Berlin to operate would be terminated.

The measures have prompted strong reactions across Europe. Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Oleksii Makeiev welcomed what he described as Berlin's “decisive response to the Russian attack in Leipzig.” He said Kyiv was working closely with Germany on protecting critical infrastructure from drones, coordinating action against Russia's shadow fleet and imposing additional sanctions.

French President Emmanuel Macron also backed Germany and called for new European sanctions against Russia. “We must be united in our support for Ukraine and France will continue to play a full role,” Macron said.

Support for Berlin has also come from Poland, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Luxembourg, Iceland, Spain, Estonia, Norway, Britain, Canada, Italy, Greece and other countries. Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that “nothing can threaten democracy” while expressing solidarity with Germany.

Greek media reported that security measures had been strengthened at airports and ports used to transport equipment for NATO forces and the Ukrainian military. Greek military experts said the Leipzig incident was part of what they described as a wider Russian campaign of sabotage and destabilization intended to undermine European support for Ukraine.

The European Union has also taken up the issue. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the Russian ambassador to the bloc had been summoned over the incidents. “We are discussing the attacks in Leipzig and it is clear that they bear all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism,” Kallas said, adding that the EU would have to consider how to respond.

Moscow has rejected the accusations. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Germany was effectively fabricating evidence against Russia and suggested that the accusations were linked to domestic political pressures on Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Putin described Berlin's actions as a “serious mistake” and said they did not serve German interests. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov likewise accused Germany of failing to provide evidence and said Russia had consistently denied involvement in the Leipzig incident.

“It is obvious that Germany is taking the path of further escalation,” Peskov said. Moscow has instead suggested that Ukraine could be exploiting anti-Russian sentiment in Germany.

The confrontation has already led to a broader deterioration in German-Russian relations, with Berlin's accusations marking an unusually direct attribution of responsibility to Moscow. Germany's government has also announced additional sanctions against Russian individuals and organizations.

For Bulgaria, the Foreign Ministry said the priority remained a coordinated European response to hybrid threats. “Bulgaria will continue to support strong and coordinated efforts to counter hybrid threats and protect our common security,” the ministry said.