
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reacted sharply to Germany's accusations of Russia's involvement in the drone incident at Leipzig airport.
Referring to the drone found near a Ukrainian plane at Leipzig-Halle airport, Lavrov said that German authorities labeled it as Russian without conducting, in his opinion, a sufficient investigation.
"This is essentially the beginning of a real war," Lavrov declared, while simultaneously criticizing Berlin's measures against Russian diplomatic missions and institutions in Germany.
Lavrov also commented on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's statements about strengthening the German army, claiming that Berlin is putting into practice plans to turn Germany into Europe's leading military power.
"He is essentially declaring war on us. And the lessons of history have not been learned at all," the Russian minister said.
Lavrov went further, stating that "metastases of Nazism are beginning to surface" and that the Russian leadership will draw "appropriate conclusions" from the developments.
According to German authorities, the incident at Leipzig-Halle airport occurred on August 4, when a drone loaded with explosives was found near a Ukrainian plane. Berlin has officially accused Russia of responsibility for the attempted attack.
Amid the escalating tensions, Germany has also announced the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn, the termination of the agreement on the operation of the Russian House in Berlin, and the strengthening of entry controls for Russian citizens.