Russia Closes German Consulate in St. Petersburg

Russia announced Monday the closure of the German consulate in St. Petersburg, ordering its staff to leave by Sept. 18, escalating a diplomatic dispute triggered by Germany's earlier closure of Russian facilities. The move, announced by Russia's Foreign Ministry, also reaffirms the shutdown of German Goethe-Institut cultural centers in Moscow and St. Petersburg, with employees required to depart by Sunday. Russia framed these actions as retaliation for Germany's "unfriendly" decision to close the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural center in Berlin. Germany had accused Russia of involvement in an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Aug. 4, a major freight hub for Ukraine support, which Moscow denies, calling it a provocation. Western officials have accused Russia of a sabotage campaign, a claim Russia rejects.