Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation’s Security Council, threatened Germany with «direct strikes» against enterprises producing military equipment and suggested attacks on other locations in Berlin. The statement came after the German government blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack carrying explosives near Leipzig/Halle Airport. Moscow denies any involvement.
Briefly about the main points
- Medvedev has warned of possible strikes against military equipment manufacturers in Germany.
- He also mentioned other possible targets in Berlin.
- Berlin links Russia to a drone found near Leipzig/Halle Airport.
- Germany has announced diplomatic, border control and intelligence measures.
- The Russian Consulate-General in Bonn is due to close on 18 September.
A Russian official described the incident as a «fabricated act of sabotage»
On Telegram Medvedev stated that he considers Germany’s accusations against Russia to be unsubstantiated. The incident in Leipzig he described it as a «fabricated act of sabotage».
He went on to state that German companies producing military equipment for Ukraine «deserve» to be directly targeted. Medvedev also suggested strikes against «certain other locations in Berlin». The German media interpreted these remarks as a threat of attacks on the country’s defence industries.
In his statement, he quoted the words of the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky about a threat to civil aviation in Russian airspace and repeated his accusatory rhetoric against Ukraine and its Western partners.
Berlin has claimed there is a Russian link in the drone case
The German Government officially announced the day before that said., which holds Russia responsible for the attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in early August. A drone carrying explosives was discovered in the vicinity of the airport’s critical infrastructure and Ukrainian cargo aircraft.
The incident took place on 4 August. Air traffic at the airport was suspended for approximately two hours, starting at 01:55. The German Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office described the incident as a serious attack on the country’s transport and logistics infrastructure.
According to the German side, a body of investigative evidence and intelligence points to a Russian connection. Russia denies the allegations.
Germany is closing the Russian consulate and will hand over the documents to NATO
In response, Berlin has decided to close the Russian Consulate-General in Bonn, terminate the agreement governing the activities of the «Russian House» in Berlin, and tighten checks on Russian citizens upon entry into the country. The consulate is due to cease operations on 18 September.
Germany has also announced its intention to continue its civilian and military support for Ukraine, to step up intelligence operations and share the findings of the investigation with NATO allies. The measures announced by Berlin are of a diplomatic, border security and intelligence nature.
