Germany blames Russia for airport drone plot, shuts down consulate

 over an early August drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said. "Germany remains secure, and Germany will defend itself against adversaries who seek to create insecurity," Wadephul said. "We will not allow Russia's attacks to divide or intimidate us in our social cohesion." Russia's ambassador to Germany was summoned on Tuesday.Staff of the Russian consulate and the “Russian House” have been ordered to leave Germany immediately.
Responding to Germany's announcement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would respond to what she called Berlin's "anti-Russian action," according to Interfax news agency. She did not elaborate. The Russian Embassy in Berlin had previously dismissed such accusations as "fabricated provocation" and as "a new wave of anti-Russian hysteria in Germany."
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said authorities found elements such as the drone configuration, components, explosives and detonator that are “known to us from other Russian hybrid operations and its war against Ukraine.” He said the device pointed to “a high degree of technical expertise” and painstaking planning, but carrying out the plan appears to have been left to “low-level” agents. According to German officials,the drone was found near a Ukrainian plane on Aug. 4 and the device was defused. German officials said at the time that the incident posed a new level of danger.
"Where's the evidence?!" Putin responds to Germany's accusations of drone sabotage at Leipzig Airport. Talking to media in Moscow, Putin stressed the need to ensure "that there are no new provocations that trigger new conflicts."
Leipzig/Halle is a major hub for international freight and for providing support to Ukraine. The planes that regularly use it include Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft. It is also home to NATO’s Strategic Airlift International Solution, or SALIS, which is currently operational almost every day in delivering equipment to NATO battle groups along its eastern flank from Finland to Romania and supporting E.U. and alliance nation missions.
The Bonn mission was Russia’s last remaining consulate general in Germany. Following its closure, Russian citizens seeking consular services in the country will only be able to turn to the Russian Embassy in Berlin. Germany also terminated an agreement concerning the Russian House in Berlin, with employees of both institutions required to leave the country.