Russia says it will shutter German cultural centers in response to Germany blaming Moscow for an alleged airport drone attack. The Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, announces closures tied to institutions such as the Goethe-Institut, including in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. He frames the decision as a reciprocal response to Germany’s actions and says any other approach would reflect a lack of “self-respect” on Russia’s part.
The dispute follows Berlin’s accusation that Russia was behind an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Multiple outlets refer to a drone carrying explosives found near a Ukrainian plane on Aug. 4 that is later defused. The airport is described as a major international freight hub used to support Ukraine. In parallel, German authorities also announce the closure of the Russian Consulate in Bonn and the “Russian House” cultural center in Berlin, which Russian officials cite as ending Russia’s cultural presence.
Euronews and other reports place the incident within a broader Western narrative of alleged sabotage and disruption by Russia aimed at undermining support for Ukraine and destabilising European countries, while Russian statements emphasize retaliation and reciprocity rather than the underlying attribution.
