The heads of Nato and the European Commission have warned that Russia is becoming increasingly reckless, vowing to respond decisively to what they describe as a dangerous “new normal” in European security.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the failed drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport last month which Germany has now formally attributed to Russia marked a serious escalation. “Leipzig marks a new escalation on European Union soil directly attributed to Russia,” she said, urging Europe to be ready to respond “faster and better” to Moscow’s hybrid operations.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance stood “in full solidarity with Germany,” stressing that the US and all Nato members viewed the incident as a significant threat.
Russia has rejected Germany’s accusations, denying that explosive‑laden drones deliberately targeted a Ukrainian cargo plane on 4 August. One drone was defused by a robot, another is believed to have collided with a cargo aircraft, and a third was discovered 10 days later at the airport a key Nato logistics hub regularly used by Ukrainian Antonov transport planes.
Germany said on Tuesday that police investigations and intelligence findings had proven Russian involvement, citing drone components, explosives and detonators identical to those used in previous Russian hybrid operations.
Berlin has announced it will close the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural institution, which German officials suspect of acting as a Kremlin propaganda outlet. Moscow has promised a “mirror‑image” response, accusing Germany of providing no evidence. President Vladimir Putin condemned Berlin’s measures as a “serious mistake” that he claims runs counter to German interests.
Asked whether Russia might sever diplomatic ties, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said “maybe,” though he added that Moscow was still giving diplomacy a chance.
Critics in Germany argue the government’s response is too weak, but Berlin is pushing for a co‑ordinated EU‑wide reaction, including expanded sanctions and possible entry restrictions on Russian visitors across the bloc.
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