Lavrov calls German drone accusations 'beginning of real war'

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called German accusations against Moscow over an attempted explosive drone attack at Leipzig Airport the "beginning of a real war." He made the statement to Russian state television, claiming no one had proven the drone was Russian. Germany's federal government attributed the attempted attack to Russian intelligence services in early September after a four-week investigation. A drone with an explosive device was found near a Ukrainian transport plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport in early August, with two more drones discovered later. Lavrov also compared German sanctions, including the closure of Russia's consulate general in Bonn and cultural institute in Berlin, to the start of World War II. Berlin believes Germany is a target of covert Russian operations due to its support for Ukraine.