Lavrov says German FM raised Leipzig drone claim at UN General Assembly

September 26, 2026 at 10:32 PM2 min

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his German counterpart Johann Wadephul raised a complaint about the Leipzig airport drone incident during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Lavrov said Germany used the phrase "highly likely" to accuse Russia and expelled the Russian consulate general in Bonn. He added that Germany had "probably forgotten" its obligations as host country to international organizations based in Bonn.

Key Facts

Lavrov said Wadephul raised the Leipzig drone complaint at a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Germany used the phrase "highly likely" to accuse Russia over the drone and expelled the Russian consulate general in Bonn.
Lavrov said Germany had "probably forgotten" its obligations as host country to international organizations based in Bonn.
On August 4, a drone with explosives was found near a Ukrainian transport aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the government concluded Russia was behind the drone incident based on technology used and intelligence data.

Lavrov's Account

Lavrov said Wadephul raised the complaint during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. He quoted Wadephul as saying, "Mr. Wadephul also presented me with a claim that some fallen drone was found in Leipzig." Lavrov said Germany used the phrase "highly likely" to accuse Russia and expelled the Russian consulate general in Bonn. He said the consulate closure undermines the work of structures based in Bonn, where Germany as host country signed treaties to ensure their functioning. Lavrov concluded that Germany had "probably forgotten" its obligations and that the consulate played an important role in Russia's participation in international organizations.

Leipzig Drone Incident

On August 4, a drone with explosives was found near a Ukrainian transport aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The German Interior Ministry called the incident a "hybrid terrorist scenario." Another unidentified object was spotted near the airport the same night, and Die Zeit later reported it struck the wing of a Ukrainian cargo plane. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the government concluded Russia was behind the drone incident based on technology used and intelligence data. The Russian Embassy in Germany called the incident a "hastily concocted provocation" benefiting Ukraine and European politicians supporting military aid to Kyiv.