Germany to close Russian consulate in Bonn after Leipzig/Halle drone incident

Germany has decided to close Russia's consulate general in Bonn following a drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4, Report informs, citing German media.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced the decision at a joint press conference.

According to Wadephul, the Russian consulate general in Bonn will cease operations on September 18.

In addition to closing the consulate, the German government intends to terminate the agreement governing the activities of the Russian House in Berlin, tighten controls on the entry of Russian citizens into the country, and increase pressure on Russia's "shadow fleet."

Berlin also wants the European Union to impose additional sanctions on a number of Russian representatives.

Dobrindt said the findings of the police investigation, the nature of the incident and intelligence information, taken together, led the German side to assess that Russia was responsible for an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport involving a drone equipped with explosives.

The incident involved a strike drone that collided with a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport, but did not explode.