• Germany has blamed Russia for the drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month, according to the BBC, after an explosive-carrying drone was discovered near Ukrainian cargo aircraft.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the incident as a Russian hybrid attack and expressed solidarity with Germany.
• German authorities have announced measures in response, while von der Leyen said additional sanctions would be discussed by European foreign ministers.

Germany has said Russia was responsible for last month’s drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, where an explosive device was discovered close to Ukrainian cargo aircraft.

The drone carrying the device was found at the airport in eastern Germany on 4 August. The explosive failed to detonate after its detonator apparently malfunctioned, according to the BBC. Investigators also suspect that a second drone collided with a cargo aircraft near the airport.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the attack followed the “well-established pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe”. Dobrindt said Germany was working on the assumption that the country would be targeted again.

Security experts had previously speculated about possible Russian involvement in the incident, while Russia had rejected claims of involvement, according to the BBC. The German government is also closing Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn in response to the Leipzig Airport attack, according to a post on X by Bastian Brauns, who cited Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaking in Berlin.

BREAKING: The German government is closing Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn. Reaction on attack at Leipzig Airport. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul minutes ago in Berlin pic.twitter.com/khDDudTfs8

— Bastian Brauns (@BastianBrauns) September 1, 2026

The incident took place at Leipzig/Halle, a major European cargo airport, with the explosive-carrying drone discovered close to Ukrainian cargo aircraft.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X that she had spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about what she described as the “hybrid attack at Leipzig airport”.

“I assured him that the EU stands in full solidarity with Germany in the face of this attack by Russia,” von der Leyen said.

She said the EU would remain united despite what she called “escalating and serious acts”, adding: “Hybrid attacks will not go without a clear response.”

This morning I spoke with Chancellor Merz to discuss the hybrid attack at Leipzig airport.

I assured him that the EU stands in full solidarity with Germany in the face of this attack by Russia.

We will keep the EU united despite these escalating and serious acts. The German…

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 1, 2026

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