Russia has accused Germany of "wanting war again" following Berlin's allegations that Moscow orchestrated a drone attack on Leipzig airport last month. The diplomatic tensions have intensified as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov drew parallels between current events and the lead-up to World War II.
German police responded to the incident on August 4, deploying a bomb disposal unit and grounding flights after a drone carrying explosives was discovered on the tarmac near a Ukrainian cargo plane. German authorities stated that "low-level agents" attempted a "hybrid attack." In response, both Moscow and Berlin have closed each other's cultural centers, and European Union countries have summoned Russian envoys.
Lavrov directly addressed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's recent comments on bolstering German defense capabilities, stating that these actions are "in effect, declaring war on us." He accused Germany of pursuing policies reminiscent of its past, stating, "The Russian leadership will draw the appropriate conclusions."
These accusations come as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned citizens to be "prepared for anything," alluding to a potential escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. Putin suggested that retaliatory strikes would be launched against Ukraine in response to drone attacks on Russian oil refineries that have impacted fuel supplies. He also dismissed the possibility of peace talks, labeling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's actions as "state terrorism."
Despite Putin's stance, Russia and Ukraine reportedly agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire as U.S. negotiators, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met with President Zelensky in Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Germany has faced its own security concerns. Following the Leipzig airport incident, a significant power plant in Brandenburg, the Janschwalde lignite-fired power plant, was targeted with "homemade explosive rockets." While authorities have not definitively confirmed the use of rockets, emergency services discovered and defused multiple explosive and incendiary devices. State interior minister Jan Redmann described the incident as an "act of sabotage."
Germany has previously accused Moscow of engaging in hybrid warfare, including espionage and sabotage, allegations Russia denies. The country has reported numerous suspicious drone sightings over military and industrial sites, but the Leipzig incident, involving an explosive-laden drone, significantly raised alarm bells. The Leipzig airport is a critical hub for military cargo transport for Germany and NATO allies, and it serves as a base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines.
Chancellor Merz acknowledged that Germany has increasingly "found itself in the crosshairs of hybrid attackers," though Berlin has generally avoided directly blaming Russia, citing only the potential involvement of "foreign powers."