Overview
- German investigators found a bomb‑laden drone near Ukrainian cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle on 4 August and the federal government publicly blamed Russia on 1 September.
- Berlin responded by ordering the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin and said further diplomatic steps are under way.
- Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has unveiled a developing defence package that would deploy quickly movable drone‑interception units in nine cities, create a national ‘Cyberdome’ sensor grid to spot cyberattacks, and expand AI‑based video and biometric tools for spotting threats.
- The plan would change rules so critical infrastructure operators such as power, water and defence firms could actively repel hostile drones, but the measures remain in planning and will need new laws, procurement and oversight before they are used.
- Moscow denies the accusation and Foreign Minister Sergej Lawrow has sharply criticised Germany, raising the risk of further bilateral escalation while prompting domestic debate over civil‑liberties, legal limits and alliance coordination.