Lavrov Calls Western Accusations Over Leipzig Drone Incident 'Start of Real War'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called Western accusations of Moscow's involvement in the Leipzig airport drone incident "the start of a real war," according to state news agency TASS on Sunday. Lavrov specifically criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saying his statements about making Germany Europe's leading military power amount to "declaring war on us." The remarks follow Germany's September 1 conclusion that Russia was responsible for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month. Germany responded to the incident by ordering the closure of a Russian consulate and a cultural center in Berlin. Russia has dismissed the accusations as baseless, claiming Berlin planted evidence to frame Moscow for the attack.