The Diplomat
The Spanish government on Tuesday condemned the hybrid attack with explosive drones carried out by Russia in early August against several Ukrainian cargo planes parked at Leipzig Airport in Germany.
“The Russian hybrid attack on Leipzig Airport in August is unacceptable, and Spain fully supports Germany,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez posted on social media. “We will not be deterred by hybrid threats; our commitment to Ukraine is unwavering,” he affirmed.
For his part, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares warned that “hybrid aggression is a constant challenge for Europe.” “My support for Germany in the face of the Russian hybrid threat,” he wrote on social media. “European unity and solidarity are vital to protect our citizens and borders. From south to north, from east to west. United we are stronger,” he concluded.
The German government has formally accused Russia of the explosive drone attack that occurred in early August at Leipzig/Halle Airport. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has raised the threat level assessment for the country from “general” to “high.”
For the time being, Germany has announced the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin, and the tightening of entry requirements for visitors from that country. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry has summoned the Russian ambassador to demand explanations. The Russian government of Vladimir Putin has asserted that the German accusations are fabricated to justify hostile measures, and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has warned that “Moscow will respond to all anti-Russian decisions.”
Separately, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government will bring this case before NATO on Wednesday, where it will present evidence of Russian responsibility for this hybrid attack, which targeted several Ukrainian cargo planes.
According to diplomatic sources, France and Great Britain have already bilaterally assured their full support for Germany and the punitive measures that will follow this accusation. For his part, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has guaranteed Merz that he will back the German initiative and call for a united response from the Alliance, and has announced a “strengthening of the deterrence and defense capabilities” of the allied countries to confront Moscow’s hybrid threat.