Russia Accuses Germany of Moving Toward ‘Real War’ Over Leipzig Drone Dispute
MOSCOW, RUSSIA — WEB DESK: Russia has sharply rejected Germany’s accusation that Moscow was responsible for an alleged explosive-drone incident at Leipzig Airport, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accusing Berlin of escalating tensions and moving toward what he described as a “real war.”
The dispute centres on an incident reported at Leipzig Airport on August 4, which Germany has attributed to Russia. Moscow denies responsibility and says Berlin has failed to provide credible evidence supporting its allegation.
Lavrov argued that German authorities had not conducted an adequate investigation to establish who was responsible for the drone before blaming Russia.
He strongly criticised subsequent German measures against Russian diplomatic and cultural institutions, presenting Berlin’s actions as part of a broader escalation in relations between the two countries.
The Russian foreign minister also invoked Germany’s history while condemning the approach adopted by Berlin, saying German leaders appeared not to have learned lessons from the past. His comments represented Moscow’s position and should not be interpreted as an independently established assessment of Germany’s intentions.
Russia Objects to German Measures
Lavrov specifically criticised Germany’s decision involving the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin, according to the Express report.
Germany announced measures targeting Russian diplomatic personnel and institutions after formally holding Moscow responsible for the Leipzig incident on September 1. Russia maintains that Germany has not produced reliable evidence establishing Russian responsibility.
The dispute therefore extends beyond the original drone incident and has developed into a broader diplomatic confrontation.
Lavrov also criticised German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s ambition to strengthen Germany’s armed forces, describing Berlin’s military expansion plans as a dangerous trend.
Germany, like several other European countries, has been reassessing its defence capabilities amid heightened security concerns across Europe. Moscow has repeatedly criticised European military expansion and Western support for Ukraine, while European governments have argued that stronger defence capabilities are necessary in response to security threats from Russia.
Europe-Russia Tensions Remain High
The latest exchange comes against the backdrop of prolonged tensions between Moscow and European capitals over the war in Ukraine, sanctions, defence spending and allegations of Russian hybrid operations.
Incidents involving unidentified drones have become a particularly sensitive security issue across Europe, especially around airports, military facilities and critical infrastructure.
Attribution in such incidents can be difficult, making independent evidence particularly important before responsibility can be conclusively established.
In the Leipzig case, the Express Urdu report states that Germany has blamed Russia, while Moscow categorically denies the allegation and challenges the evidence behind it.
Lavrov’s comments significantly raise the rhetorical temperature between Moscow and Berlin, but they do not mean Germany and Russia have formally entered a state of war. His reference to “real war” should be understood as a warning and political accusation made by the Russian foreign minister.
The dispute is likely to remain closely watched because Germany is one of Europe’s largest economies and a major political and military actor, while relations between Berlin and Moscow have deteriorated dramatically during the broader Russia-West confrontation.
