Merz Blames Russia for Leipzig Drone Plot

An attempted drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport had been planned in Russia for several months, with serious property damage and injuries prevented only by chance, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told members of the Bundestag on Wednesday.

According to Merz, the operation specifically targeted Germany. He said serious property damage and injuries had been prevented only by chance.

The chancellor made the remarks a few days after the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) scored a significant victory in the state election in Saxony-Anhalt. Its platform includes a call for closer relations with Moscow.

Russia denied any involvement in the drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The Russian foreign minister described the accusations as “the beginning of a real war”.

(Reuters, bak)