Russia's ambassador to Germany, Sergei Nechayev, has arrived at the foreign ministry in Berlin after being formally summoned over an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport.

The diplomatic confrontation follows an announcement by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who confirmed that intelligence findings and physical analysis of recovered equipment proved Russian state involvement in the 4 August incident.

German authorities disclosed that an explosive-laden drone was found on the airfield grounds close to parked Ukrainian cargo aircraft, failing to detonate because of a faulty trigger. Investigators suspect a second drone struck a nearby cargo aircraft, while a third device was discovered in the area ten days later. Dobrindt warned that the operation fits a wider pattern of Russian hybrid warfare across Europe, adding that Berlin assumes Germany will be targeted again.

In response, Wadephul ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and terminated the operating contract for the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin, a venue long suspected by Western observers of facilitating espionage and state propaganda. Germany is also introducing stricter border controls for Russian citizens and increasing scrutiny of Moscow's 'shadow fleet' of tankers used to bypass sanctions.

Russia has rejected the accusations. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the German Press Agency that Berlin was 'sponsoring terrorism' through its military and economic support for Ukraine. Moscow had previously suggested that Germany's Goethe-Institut in Russia could be forced to close if the Russian House in Berlin were shut down.

Leipzig/Halle Airport plays a key strategic role for Western defence logistics, handling military freight for Germany and NATO allies and serving as the primary operating base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines.

Allies have backed Berlin's stance. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on X that the evidence was clear and welcomed Germany's retaliatory measures, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the EU is preparing further sanctions against Moscow, writing that the bloc is united against Russian aggression. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham described Russian attempts to weaken Western resolve as futile, as Polish authorities continue to investigate possible foreign intelligence links to a recent fire at a drone component plant.

Domestically, the incident comes at a sensitive time for Chancellor Friedrich Merz ahead of regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, where the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has campaigned to halt military aid to Kyiv and re-establish relations with Moscow.

EU foreign ministers are meeting in Ireland to coordinate their next diplomatic steps, while Berlin moves to expand the powers of its intelligence services. I will be monitoring Moscow's response and any further security findings closely.