Russia closes German consulate in St Petersburg after drone dispute

Russia closed Germany's consulate general in St Petersburg on Monday, retaliating after Berlin shut Russian consulates and accused Moscow of a drone attack attempt at a German airport. The move escalates bilateral tensions. The Russian Foreign Ministry ordered the consulate to cease operations by September 18, and demanded Goethe-Institut cultural centers in Russia halt activities, with staff leaving by September 13. Germany had closed Russian facilities in Bonn and Berlin over the alleged Leipzig/Halle Airport incident. Russia dismissed the drone accusation as an "absurd fabrication," blaming German authorities for provoking the escalation and stating Berlin bears full responsibility for the consequences. The closure marks another low point in already strained Russia-Germany relations.