Germany Blames Russia for Leipzig Airport Drone Attack
Explosive-laden drone found near Ukrainian plane as government cites pattern of 'Russian hybrid operations' across Europe.
Sarah Connor
Germany has accused Russia of an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month.
The German government will shut the Russian consulate in Bonn and close a Russian cultural center.
This action follows reports of a major German power plant targeted with 'homemade explosive rockets'; emergency services reportedly discovered and defused additional devices at the site.
Power plant operator LEAG confirmed unknown perpetrators caused damage to several lines in the 50Hertz transmission network.
The incident did not cause a power outage or danger to the public.
Russian hybrid operations.
Alexander Dobrindt claims the incident corresponds with a known pattern of "Russian hybrid operations" and asserts Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on August 4.
Dobrindt further claims the assumption was that Germany would be targeted again, aligning with a known pattern of Russian hybrid operations.
Russian cyber units have reportedly targeted critical systems, including power plants, since at least the mid-2010s.
Nordic and Baltic countries have also reported increased GPS jamming and spoofing since 2022.
The UK Prime Minister expressed "full solidarity" with Germany after the attempted drone attack on Leipzig-Halle Airport, stating that Russian attempts to undermine resolve and support for Ukraine are futile.