Germany is preparing to formally accuse Russia of responsibility for an explosive-laden drone found at Leipzig Airport last month, as a major power plant in Brandenburg was reportedly targeted with homemade explosive rockets. The accusations come amid a broader pattern of alleged Russian hybrid warfare tactics aimed at destabilizing Europe.
Local media reported that a key installation near the Janschwalde coal-fired power plant, Brandenburg's largest, was targeted with rockets on Tuesday morning. Emergency services were dispatched and reportedly defused additional devices. While police have not confirmed the use of rockets, they stated that damage to power lines was discovered and bomb disposal experts were on the scene. Several improvised explosive and incendiary devices were also found following an incident causing property damage. The power plant operator, LEAG, confirmed that unknown perpetrators allegedly caused damage to lines in the 50Hertz transmission network. Police assured the public that there was no danger and no power outage occurred.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt are expected to announce Berlin's formal accusation against Russia regarding the Leipzig Airport incident. This follows months of suspicious drone sightings over German military and industrial sites, with the August 4 incident at Leipzig Airport raising particular concern due to the drone carrying explosives.
Germany, a NATO member and supporter of Ukraine, has long accused Moscow of engaging in hybrid attacks, including espionage and sabotage, charges that Russia denies. The Leipzig Airport, a critical hub for military goods and a base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines, was the site where police used a robot to defuse the explosive-laden drone. Another drone with traces of explosives was reportedly found near the airport weeks later.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that Germany increasingly finds itself targeted by hybrid attackers. Previously, Berlin had alluded to the involvement of "foreign powers" without naming Russia. Reports indicate that the upcoming announcement will specifically point to a Russian intelligence agency. Potential countermeasures being discussed include the expulsion of Russian diplomats and the closure of Russia's consulate in Bonn.
Discussions have also arisen regarding the potential closure of a Russian cultural center in Berlin, which security services believe functions as an intelligence hub. Security policy experts have suggested that the facility may be filled with surveillance equipment and used by individuals hostile to Germany.
Moscow has been accused of waging a shadow war across Europe through sabotage, cyber attacks, disinformation, and intimidation. Russian cyber units have been implicated in targeting critical systems, including power plants, since the mid-2010s. Notably, a cyber attack on the Viasat satellite internet system during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 caused widespread outages and was condemned by the EU, US, and UK as Russian-perpetrated. Nordic and Baltic countries have also reported an increase in GPS jamming and spoofing affecting civilian navigation since 2022.