German Chancellor Merci warns of 'massive threat' from Russia after drone found near Ukrainian cargo plane
German Chancellor Friedrich Merci warned of a "massive threat" from Russia and extremist parties, saying Moscow seeks to destabilize Germany daily. Berlin said a drone carrying explosives was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig airport and blamed Moscow for the attempted attack. Separately, police in Brandenburg arrested a Ukrainian citizen on suspicion of espionage for Russia.
Key points
- Chancellor Friedrich Merci called the threat from Russia "massive" and said Russia seeks to destabilize Germany every day
- Merci also pointed to threats from extremist parties inside Germany and from foreign enemies
- A drone or UAV with explosives was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig airport
- Berlin said Moscow was behind the attempted attack at Leipzig airport
- Brandenburg state police arrested a 33-year-old Ukrainian citizen on suspicion of espionage for Russia
- Germany has remained on high alert for sabotage in recent months
Why it matters
Germany is one of Ukraine's largest military and political supporters, so threats facing it have direct implications for Ukrainian security. The explosive-laden drone found near a Ukrainian cargo plane and Berlin's attribution of the attempted attack to Moscow point to risks for Ukrainian aviation and transport. The reported espionage arrests also suggest the confrontation with Russia is extending into intelligence and domestic security.
What happened
Chancellor Friedrich Merci warned that Germany faces a massive threat from Russia and from extremist parties within the country, saying Moscow aims to destabilize the country on a daily basis. He questioned how Europe can protect freedom and security as internal extremist and foreign state threats grow. The warning came as Berlin reported that a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle carrying explosives was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig airport, with German authorities saying Moscow was behind the attempted attack. Separately, police in the German state of Brandenburg arrested a Ukrainian citizen on suspicion of spying for Russia.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage emphasizes the threat Russia poses to Germany, a major military and political supporter of Ukraine, and highlights incidents involving Ukrainian aviation. Particular attention was given to statements about daily destabilization efforts, heightened readiness for sabotage, an arrest on suspicion of espionage for Russia, and the risk of military confrontation.
Background
Germany is one of Ukraine's largest military and political allies and has remained on heightened alert for sabotage in recent months. Martin Jäger, president of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service, said the confrontation with Russia has acquired a new and more dangerous character and that Germany risks being drawn into a conflict with Russia involving the use of force. Germany had also previously arrested a 33-year-old Ukrainian man on suspicion of espionage for a defence company.