The European Union has summoned Russian ambassadors across member states in response to a series of drone attacks linked to Leipzig Airport in Germany, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed on Wednesday, 2 September, ahead of the Informal meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers in Wicklow, Ireland. The diplomatic escalation follows Berlin's formal attribution of the attacks to Russia and a sweeping package of retaliatory measures announced by the German government on Tuesday.

What Kallas Said

'We have already summoned Russian ambassadors, so have also many Member States, and we will discuss what more can we do,' Kallas told reporters. She also indicated that the EU has 1,600 listings in the pipeline targeting Russia's military complex, with the possibility of additional entries. She clarified, however, that no final decisions would be taken at the Wicklow gathering — describing it as a consultative forum rather than a decision-making one.

The Leipzig Drone Incidents

The diplomatic crisis stems from a cluster of incidents at and around Leipzig Airport beginning in early August 2025. A drone fitted with an unidentified explosive device was discovered at the airport; the attack failed due to a malfunction of its detonator. Shortly thereafter, a DHL cargo aircraft collided at high speed with a flying object before being safely diverted to Hannover. Investigators subsequently found damage on the plane consistent with a drone strike, according to reports. A third drone along with military-grade explosives linked to the same incident was reportedly discovered in the vicinity of the airport the following week, local media reported.

Germany's Formal Attribution and Retaliation

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated during a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Berlin on Tuesday that the government had concluded 'that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on August 4.' Wadephul announced that Germany will close the Russian Consulate General in Bonn on 18 September, terminate the contract with the Russian House in Berlin, and summon the Russian ambassador. A broader package of retaliatory steps is also being rolled out, including expanded EU sanctions with travel bans and stricter entry controls for Russian nationals.

Merz Warns of Consequences

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had warned last week that Germany 'has increasingly become the target of hybrid attackers,' adding that authorities were working intensively to identify those responsible. He vowed that 'the perpetrators would pay a price.' The Leipzig incidents are the latest in a pattern of alleged Russian hybrid operations targeting European infrastructure — a concern that has sharpened across EU capitals as the war in Ukraine continues.

What Comes Next

The Wicklow ministerial meeting is expected to set the stage for a formal EU-level response in the coming weeks. Additional sanctions listings targeting Russia's military-industrial complex remain under active discussion, and further bilateral measures from other EU member states are anticipated. The closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn is set to take effect on 18 September, marking one of the most concrete diplomatic steps taken by Germany against Russia in recent months.