European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte joined forces in Brussels to condemn Russia’s “new escalation” in Germany.
They condemned the failed drone attack on Leipzig Airport as a “military‑grade” operation that threatened EU soil. Germany’s Interior Minister Herbert Reul confirmed the drone was linked to Russian hybrid tactics, and that two suspects were identified, including a Belarusian using a Russian passport.
Berlin has announced it will close the Russian House cultural institution and the Russian consulate in Bonn. Vladimir Putin slammed the move as a mistake, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Poland said sabotage also hit a drone‑factory.
The EU and NATO vow to increase pressure on Moscow, with the EU proposing deeper sanctions and a joint defence project after a €90bn loan to Ukraine. The response will continue until Russia stops bombing and killing civilians in Ukraine.
Several sabotage incidents, including attacks on power substations in Germany and fire at Polish drone factories, signal a growing threat to European infrastructure.
