Germany Blames Russia for Hybrid Drone Attack at Leipzig

German officials have publicly accused Russia of orchestrating a hybrid assault on Leipzig Airport, where a drone fitted with explosives was intercepted. The device's detonator failure averted a larger blast, but a DHL cargo aircraft later suffered impact with an unidentified airborne object, prompting an emergency landing in Hanover. Investigators uncovered remnants of drone damage on the aircraft. In response, Berlin ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn, terminated the Russian House lease, and summoned the Russian ambassador. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt labeled the August 4 episode a "hybrid operation" by Moscow. The German government is working with EU partners to consider a broader sanctions package that could tighten travel restrictions and entry protocols for Russian citizens. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted that over 1,600 entities tied to Russia's military‑industrial complex are in the pipeline for sanctioning.