Leipzig drone incident: Russia to close German consulate in St Petersburg and Goethe-Institut branches

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially announced measures "in response" to Germany's actions following the attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, for which Berlin blamed Russia.

Source: Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Germany's chargé d'affaires in Moscow was informed that Russia is closing the German consulate general in St Petersburg. The office must cease operations no later than 18 September, and all its staff must leave Russian territory by that date, the ministry said.

In addition, Russia announced the closure of the German Goethe-Institut cultural centres in the Russian Federation. Staff at all branches must leave Russia no later than 13 September.

The relevant notes from Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs were handed to the head of Germany's diplomatic mission in Moscow.

The Russian ministry said it had taken these decisions "in connection with unfriendly actions by the German side regarding the closure of the Russian consulate general in Bonn and the Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin".

Berlin resorted to these diplomatic measures after officially announcing Russia's direct involvement in the hybrid attack at Leipzig Airport in early August.

Background: On 4 August, a drone carrying explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The aircraft was being used to transport military cargo.

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