Germany says Russia behind Leipzig airport drone incident

The German government has said that Russia was behind an incident last month involving an explosive-laden drone at a strategic airport in the eastern city of Leipzig.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said intelligence findings indicated that individuals involved in the attack on 4 August were acting on behalf of Russian state agencies.

"Taken together, police investigations, patterns of the offences and intelligence findings establish Russian responsibility for the attempted attack at Leipzig Airport," he said.

Standing alongside Mr Dobrindt, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany did not view Leipzig as an isolated incident.

"It fits into a broader pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe," he said.

In response to the attack, Mr Wadephul said Germany would take a series of measures, including closing Russia's consulate general in Bonn and terminating its agreement with the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin.

Germany will also push within the European Union for additional sanctions listings and travel restrictions on Russian nationals, while increasing pressure on Russia's "shadow fleet", he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the sanctions announced by Germany against Russia over a drone incident "another mistake," suggesting the restrictions were aimed at currying favor with voters.

"I think it's another mistake, a serious one," Mr Putin said during a press conference broadcast by the Russian Tass news agency.

"And in my view it clearly runs counter to the interests of the German people."

Russia's embassy in Germany said that the German allegations were an absurd and baseless provocation which stood to benefit Ukraine, the militaristic wing of the Europe's elite, and arms makers.

The embassy said in a statement that the measures amounted to an unprecedented escalation.

"The Russian ambassador categorically rejected the accusations levelled by Berlin as unsubstantiated, absurd and contrary to common sense," the embassy said.

"He pointed out that the measures announced by the German side represent an unprecedented escalation in Russian-German relations and will not remain without consequences, for which the German Government will bear full responsibility."

NATO, EU show solidarity with Germany

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would discuss the attempted drone attack with NATO secretary general Mark Rutte.

In a post on social media platform X, she said that EU foreign ministers will prepare a response to the matter at their upcoming meeting.

"We are united in our resolve to stand against Russian aggression. We will deter anyone who seeks to undermine our freedom and security," Ms von der Leyen wrote, adding the European Union was preparing additional sanctions against Russia.

Mr Rutte said NATO will keep on strengthening its ability to deter and defend its allies against any threat after the recent attempted drone attack in Leipzig.

"The evidence is clear. And I welcome the measures announced by Germany in response.

"NATO stands in full solidarity with Germany after the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig on 4 August," Mr Rutte said in a post on X.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he supported the adoption of new European sanctions against Russia after the Leipzig incident which Germany attributed to Russia.

"We must be united in support to Ukraine, France will continue to play its full part," he said in a post on X.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb also said Finland stands in full solidarity with Germany.

"We know the Russian playbook. It attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our resolve and our willingness to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia's invasion.

"It will not succeed. We will stand united and deter anyone from attacking our freedom and security," Mr Stubb said.

Minister for Defence Helen McEntee said Russian activity in the EU is no longer in the form of threats and has now manifested itself in the form of incursions into EU territory.

The minister cited the example of Germany blaming Russia for an attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport last month and said she has heard from colleagues in Romania, Estonia, Latvia and Poland regarding hybrid activity taking place on EU soil.

She said it was essential from an Irish perspective to increase spending on defence.

"This is about protecting people, this is about our overall security, that we work in closer cooperation with our allies and partners."

German minister says Brandenburg power grid target of sabotage attack

Meanwhile, the power grid in the eastern German state of Brandenburg was the target of sabotage today after unexploded incendiary devices damaged power lines, the state's interior minister said.

The power grid attack adds to a list of incidents causing Germany to consider how to better protect critical infrastructure from what officials have called a growing threat from cyber and hybrid attacks.

The Turnow-Preilack substation is one of the region's most critical high-voltage nodes, connecting Brandenburg's largest power plant, Jaenschwalde, to the 50Hertz transmission grid.

Rockets carrying conductive material were fired into extra-high-voltage lines, causing two short circuits, Interior Minister Jan Redmann said at a press conference.

He added that authorities were searching the site, and the number of devices found, in the double digits, was still rising.

Mr Redmann did not rule out the possibility that foreign powers were behind the attack, nor did he exclude left-wing activists, who have been involved in previous attacks on power structures.

The rockets were specially designed and unlike typical celebratory fireworks, he said, with setup requiring significant work.

There was a brief power cut, but all power lines are back in operation and the general electricity supply was never affected, grid operator 50Hertz said in a statement.