Russia announced the closure of the German consulate in Saint Petersburg by September 18, in response to recent "hostile actions" by Berlin. All staff members must leave Russia by that date, although the embassy and consular services in Moscow will remain open.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that "the German authorities have once again provoked a new escalation in bilateral relations," adding that all responsibility for the consequences lies entirely with the German government. The response comes following German accusations that Russia was behind drone attacks with explosives at Leipzig airport.
On August 4, a drone equipped with explosive payload was found at Leipzig airport and there was an alleged collision of a second unmanned aerial vehicle with a DHL cargo plane. Ten days later, a third device was discovered along with explosives. Russia rejects the accusations, calling them "fabricated," and President Vladimir Putin stated that Berlin has no evidence that Russia poses a threat to Germany.
Moscow also announced the closure of all branches of the Goethe Institute in Russia, following Berlin's decision to close the Russian House cultural center in the German city of Bonn, also effective September 18.
