Germany has announced retaliatory measures against Russia following allegations that Moscow was behind an explosive-laden drone found near a runway at a German airport last month. German officials have stated that the incident bore the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism.
Effective September 18, Germany intends to close the Russian consulate in Bonn. Additionally, the lease for the Russian House in Berlin, an institution dedicated to showcasing Russian culture, will be terminated. The country also plans to implement tighter entry controls for Russian nationals and increase pressure on Moscow's "shadow fleet," which refers to vessels allegedly used to circumvent sanctions.
Russia has denied responsibility for the drone plot. Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that no evidence had been presented to support the allegations. According to Russian state news agency TASS, Zakharova said that "under a completely far-fetched and far-fetched pretext, Berlin has once again escalated bilateral relations."
In response to Germany's actions, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told reporters that Moscow "will respond as we deem necessary, when we are ready for it." Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously called the German response a "grave mistake" that "clearly runs counter to the interests of the German people," as reported by TASS.