German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (R) and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at a press conference, Berlin, Germany, September 1, 2026
Tuesday’s Coverage: 12+ Killed In and Near Kyiv in 6th Straight Day of Russian Attacks
Germany has taken its most extensive steps against Russia’s hybrid warfare, following a failed drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul formally blamed Moscow for the “dangerous behavior”. They said it was part of a systematic and concerted effort by the Kremlin to “cause great damage” with hybrid attacks.
A drone loaded with explosives was discovered at Leipzig/Halle by a bus driver, who disabled it by knocking it out of the air. It was next to the wing of a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane used to transport weapons to Ukraine.
Dobrindt and Wadephul said the Russian State had provided the knowhow and equipment for the planned attack and “low-level agents” were recruited to carry it out.
The Foreign Minister said Russia will face a package of penalties, as Germany responded “to this hybrid attack in Leipzig with proportionate and measured, yet equally resolute, action”.
The Russian Ambassador had been summoned to the Foreign Ministry. The Russian Consulate in Bonn will be closed later this month. Russian House — a cultural and science institute in the center of Berlin, and the alleged launchpad for a number of hybrid attacks — will be evicted from its rented building.
Joining Sweden and Finland, Germany will clamp down on Russia’s shadow fleet. More individuals will be blacklisted, and there will be tighter border controls on Russians entering Germany.
Berlin is also backing the European Commission’s 22nd package of sanctions, covering a further 1,600 companies and organizations with a Russian connection.
