The German government on Tuesday blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack last month at Leipzig/Halle Airport that targeted a Ukrainian cargo plane used to transport military aid.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made the attribution during a joint news conference in Berlin. They said police investigations, the pattern of the offense, and intelligence findings from German services and partners established Russian responsibility for the August 4 incident.

A drone carrying explosives was discovered in the airport's secured area near parked Ukrainian Antonov freighters. The device malfunctioned and was defused by authorities. Investigators noted that the drone's configuration, components, explosives, and detonator matched those seen in other Russian hybrid operations and in Russia's war against Ukraine.

Dobrindt stated that the findings prove Russian involvement and described the attack as part of a broader pattern of hybrid warfare targeting European nations supporting Ukraine. The airport serves as a key logistics hub for shipments to Ukraine and NATO operations.

Wadephul announced retaliatory measures, including the closure of Russia's consulate general in Bonn by September 18 and the termination of the agreement for the Russian House cultural center in Berlin, which officials suspect has been used for espionage. He said the Russian leadership deliberately chose to damage the already strained bilateral relationship.

Russia rejected the accusations as absurd and baseless, with its embassy in Berlin calling them a provocation. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Germany of planting evidence.

The incident marks an escalation in documented Russian hybrid activities across Europe, according to German officials. The government indicated further actions, including potential sanctions and pressure on Russia's shadow fleet, could follow.