Germany Shutters Russian Consulate, Berlin Culture Center After Blaming Moscow for Airport Drone Attack

By Reuters Sep. 2, 2026 A police officer in protective clothing walks next to an explosive-disarming robot at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, Germany. REUTERS / Axel Schmidt The German government said on Tuesday that it had concluded that Russia was responsible for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month and ordered a series of measures in response, including the closure of a consulate and a Russian cultural center in Berlin. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said intelligence findings indicated that individuals involved in the attack were acting on behalf of Russian state agencies. "Taken together, police investigations, patterns of the offenses and intelligence findings establish Russian responsibility for the attempted attack at Leipzig Airport," he said. Standing alongside 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. Wadephul said Germany's response would include closing Russia's consulate general in Bonn and terminating its agreement with the Russian House cultural center in Berlin. "Germany remains secure, and Germany will defend itself against adversaries who seek to create insecurity," Wadephul said. "We will not allow Russia's attacks to divide or intimidate us in our social cohesion." Russia's ambassador to Germany was summoned on Tuesday. Responding to Germany's announcement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would respond to what she called Berlin's "anti-Russian action," according to Interfax news agency. She did not elaborate. The Russian Embassy in Berlin had previously dismissed such accusations as "fabricated provocation" and as "a new wave of anti-Russian hysteria in Germany." "If such serious accusations are being made, they should be supported by evidence. To my knowledge, none has been presented," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Kyrgyzstan. "It is clear that Germany is pursuing a path of further escalation," Peskov added. Read more about: Germany , Foreign Ministry Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russia Denies It Held Official Peace Talks With Germany in Azerbaijan But Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin did say that backchannel discussions have taken place between individuals from Germany and Russia who are not... 2 Min read Russia Expels German Diplomat in Tit-for-Tat Move The Foreign Ministry said it had issued a note declaring a staff member of the German Embassy in Moscow persona non grata, calling the decision a “symmetrical... 1 Min read Moscow Accuses Berlin of ‘Russophobic Hysteria’ on Nazi WWII Invasion’s Anniversary Russia's Foreign Ministry accused Berlin of jeopardizing the two countries' ties by supporting Ukraine. Germany Expels Two Russians in Dispute Over Killing of Georgian in Berlin Germany accuses Russia of refusing to cooperate in the investigation of a Chechen's murder in Berlin.