NATO countries’ special services have no proof of Russia’s involvement in the drone incident at Leipzig Airport and have informed their own governments of this. The press office of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) reported this on 15 September.
Incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport: On the night of 4–5 August 2026, a drone carrying an explosive device was found in the cargo area of Leipzig/Halle Airport. According to the Dresden prosecutor’s office and the Saxony LKA, the device was near the runway and Ukrainian cargo aircraft; federal police bomb technicians removed the detonator. At the same time, a second unidentified flying object collided with a cargo aircraft after the plane went around because the runway had been closed. No passengers or airport staff were injured, but airport operations were fully halted for some time.
“According to reliable data available to the SVR, NATO countries’ special services that examined the circumstances of the incident informed their national authorities that there is not even the slightest evidence of Russia’s involvement,” the statement on the agency’s website said.
The SVR also said that foreign special services recommended that their countries’ state bodies refrain from unambiguous public statements about Moscow’s alleged involvement in what happened.
“On the contrary, numerous signs of a ‘Ukrainian trace’ were pointed out,” Russian intelligence noted.
German authorities nevertheless continued to level accusations at Russia despite the assessments they received. The SVR believes Berlin’s stance is linked to a desire to justify the “mega-expenditures” on the country’s militarization that are built into the 2027 budget.
The agency also noted that, publicly, Germany’s allies express solidarity with Berlin, but inside NATO assessments of the incident diverge.
On 1 September, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced the decision to close Russia’s consulate general in Bonn on 18 September and to terminate the agreement on the activities of the Russian House in Berlin. In addition, the Russian ambassador was summoned to the German Foreign Ministry. Berlin explained these measures by accusations against Moscow related to the UAV incident in Leipzig.
On 7 September Russia, in response, withdrew its consent for the functioning of Germany’s consulate general in St. Petersburg. The mission’s activities must cease no later than 18 September — by the same deadline all of its staff must leave Russian territory. Similar measures were taken regarding German Goethe cultural centres.
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