Russia accuses Germany of seeking war over drone incident and consulate closures

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized Germany for blaming Russia for the Leipzig-Halle airport drone incident and closing Russian consular and cultural institutions, saying Germany is moving toward direct conflict with Russia. He stated Germany appears to want war again, recalling that Germany closed diplomatic missions before World War II. Lavrov made the remarks on Russian state television on September 6, claiming no one properly investigated the drone discovery and calling the situation the start of a real war. Germany concluded Russia was behind the attack attempt based on police investigations, patterns of the act, and intelligence assessments. Germany ordered Russia's consulate closed by September 18 and terminated the agreement for Berlin's Russia House. Russia denied the allegations, with President Vladimir Putin claiming Germany fabricated evidence. Russia announced retaliatory closures of Goethe-Institut cultural centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg. Lavrov described Germany's actions as effectively declaring war, while the European Union has warned that Russia's escalating hybrid attacks represent a major strategic threat.