Lavrov says German drone accusations mark 'beginning of real war'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday on Russian state television that German accusations against Moscow over a drone found near Leipzig airport mark "the beginning of a real war," escalating tensions between the two countries. Lavrov claimed no one has confirmed the drone was Russian, and compared German sanctions, including closing Russia's consulate in Bonn and the "House of Russia" cultural center in Berlin, to the start of World War II. The explosive drone was discovered in early August in Leipzig airport's secure cargo area near Ukrainian aircraft, with a second device reportedly striking a DHL cargo plane without detonating. Following a multi-week investigation, the German government blamed Russian intelligence services for the attempted attack, while German criminal police identified DNA from two Russian passport holders as primary suspects.