EU and Nato vow to step up pressure on Russia after Germany blames Moscow for 'new escalation'

Germany has formally accused Russia of an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August 2026, marking what German officials describe as a "new escalation" in Russia's hybrid warfare against Europe. An investigation concluded that Russia was behind the incident, which involved a drone laden with explosives found near a Ukrainian cargo plane that transports weapons and is used by NATO. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that the drone's configuration and components matched those seen in other Russian hybrid operations, indicating a high degree of technical expertise.

In response, Germany announced several countermeasures, including summoning Russia's ambassador, closing a Russian consulate in Bonn, and terminating the lease for the Russia House cultural center in Berlin. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed strong solidarity with Germany, condemning the attack as a "new escalation on European Union soil" and pledging to increase pressure on Russia. EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss further sanctions and a coordinated response to what they view as increasingly reckless Russian activities.

Russia has vehemently denied the accusations, with President Vladimir Putin calling them "absurd" and a "grave mistake" designed to distract from Germany's domestic political issues. The Russian Foreign Ministry also stated that it would implement "mirror-image" responses to Germany's actions, claiming Berlin provided no convincing evidence for its allegations. This incident further exacerbates already strained relations between Russia and Western nations amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.