The European Union is preparing a new sanctions package against Russia, in response to the escalation of hybrid threats on the continent and recent drone incidents near the German airport of Leipzig. The list under preparation could include around 1,600 individuals and entities and is expected to be finalized by the meeting of European leaders scheduled for October, according to three European diplomats cited by Politico.
Germany signaled that it intends to officially attribute the drone attack attempt in Leipzig to Russia. German authorities have been investigating since early August the discovery of a drone with explosives near the southern runway of Leipzig airport, which serves as a NATO strategic hub with military transports to Ukraine. Another device was found on August 14 nearby.
The European response should not be limited to sanctions. European defense ministers meet this week in Ireland to discuss hybrid threats, strengthening Ukraine's air defense and funding for Kyiv. The EU also adopted in July the 21st sanctions package against Russia, which reinforced restrictions targeting the energy, financial and transport sectors.
Germany is simultaneously preparing its own bilateral measures, while discussing new powers for its intelligence services, including the possibility of carrying out sabotage operations, offensive cyber actions and more aggressive espionage missions, abandoning the restrictions that have been in place since the post-World War II period.
