The German government officially accuses Russia of being responsible for the attempted attack with explosive drones on Leipzig airport, one of the main European logistics hubs also used to support Ukraine. The announcement comes from German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, after assessments by German security authorities and intelligence services.
“Taken as a whole, the police investigations, operational models and intelligence information establish Russian responsibility for the attempted attack on Leipzig Airport,” Dobrindt said. According to the minister, the people involved would have acted on behalf of Russian state apparatus and the tools used – drone configuration, explosive and trigger systems – would correspond to elements already observed in previous hybrid operations attributed to Moscow. Solidarity also from NATO, the EU and from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as well as from Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
What happened at Leipzig airport
The case dates back to the night between 4 and 5 August 2026. A drone equipped with explosives was spotted in the security area of the airport, near the southern runway and in the vicinity of the Ukrainian Antonov cargo planes present at the airport. Leipzig/Halle Airport is one of the main European platforms for freight transport, hosts the activities of DHL and is used by Antonov Airlines, which has transferred part of its operations here since 2022.
Zelensky warns: “Russian skies unsafe for civil aviation, we infest them with drones”
The discovery had triggered the suspension of part of the operations and the diversion of some flights. The bomb squad had removed the drone’s detonator and the German federal prosecutor’s office had subsequently taken the lead in the investigation on suspicion of a serious attack on Germany’s security and transport infrastructure.
In the same hours, a DHL cargo plane, diverted due to the emergency, hit an unidentified object in flight before landing in Hanover with minor damage. Investigators also looked into the possibility that it was a second drone. The investigations then expanded. On August 25, investigators spotted a third drone west of the airport, also recovering a small quantity of a substance suspected of being a military explosive.
“Germany is not at war with Russia, but it is a target”
Wadephul placed the attempted attack in “a broader pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe.” Dobrindt spoke of an action that would require “considerable expertise and commitment” and of methods compatible with previous operations.
“We do not view the Leipzig incident as an isolated case, but rather see it in the context of other hybrid actions,” he added. “We believe Germany is the target of further hybrid attacks by Russia.”
As a diplomatic response, the Russian consulate general in Bonn will be closed, while the agreement allowing the activity of the “Russian House” in Berlin will be terminated. The German government also intends to increase controls and push at the European level for new sanctions and restrictions against Russian individuals and entities.
Another front is that of the so-called Russian “shadow fleet”, the tankers used by Moscow to continue exporting oil by circumventing or mitigating the effect of Western sanctions. Wadephul has announced his intention to increase European pressure on this sector too.
Von der Leyen and Rutte: “The attack will not go unanswered”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had spoken to Chancellor Friedrich Merz assuring “full solidarity” with Germany, adding that “hybrid attacks will not go without a clear response.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also spoke to Merz, calling the evidence presented by Germany “unequivocal” and assuring that the Alliance will continue to strengthen its defense capacity against sabotage, clandestine actions and other hybrid threats.
Moscow defends itself: “Anti-Russian actions, responses will be adequate”
Moscow rejects the accusation. Russia says “there will be an appropriate response” to Germany’s decisions. It does so through the spokeswoman of the Moscow Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, who in statements reported by the Russian media accuses Berlin of an escalation “in relations with Moscow on the basis of a totally invented and absurd pretext”.
Meloni: “Attempts to intimidate us will not succeed”
“Full solidarity from Italy to Germany after the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig”, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni writes in a post on X. “The security of our allies is the security of all of us – continues Meloni – attempts to intimidate us or create a rift between allies will not succeed. Hybrid actions against any of us are a matter of concern for all of us, and will be addressed with a united response. In times like this, it is essential to remain steadfast, continue to work closely together and maintain a credible posture of deterrence to defend the security of our citizens”.
Italy stands in full solidarity with Germany after the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.
The security of our Allies is the security of us all. Attempts to intimidate us or to drive a wedge between Allies will not succeed: hybrid actions against any one of us are a matter of…
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) September 1, 2026
Tajani: “Russia doesn’t want to attack us”
The Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, defines the Russian attacks on Germany as “unacceptable” and announces “Italian solidarity” and a “united European reaction”. “Italy, together with all of Europe, stands in solidarity with Germany for this hybrid attack received. We will always react with great seriousness to prevent any influence from the Russian Federation on the decisions that take place in European countries”, stated the head of the Farnesina upon his arrival in Wicklow where the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers is being held.
“So the risks continue to exist, we will respond united, we will react while also remaining alongside the countries that are directly affected”, he explained. “We too have had cyber attacks other than those in Leipzig, cyber attacks. But the unity of Europe is fundamental. It is unacceptable that things like what happened in Germany happen. And this must make us understand that the unity of Europe is fundamental”, Tajani highlighted again.
“Germany can count on Italy’s closeness. The things that happened in Germany are extremely serious but we shouldn’t even think that there could be a military attack. I don’t think that Russia, beyond the provocations, beyond these hybrid attacks, can do anything against Europe. We must be vigilant, not underestimate the risks, but we know well that Russia evaluates the strength of the West, I don’t think it is convenient for Moscow to attack the West because it would be defeated.”