Key facts
- Russia is closing the German Consulate-General in St. Petersburg by September 18.
- This action is in retaliation for Germany closing Russian facilities.
- Germany accused Russia of an attempted drone attack near Leipzig-Halle Airport.
- German Goethe-Institut cultural centers in Russia must also cease operations.
- Russia denies responsibility for the drone incident.
Russia has ordered the closure of the German Consulate-General in St. Petersburg, with operations to cease by September 18. This decision is a direct response to Germany's earlier measures, which included shutting down a Russian consulate in Bonn and a Russian cultural center in Berlin. The diplomatic escalation follows Germany's accusation that Moscow was responsible for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Russia has denied these allegations. In addition to the consulate closure, Russia has also mandated that German Goethe-Institut cultural centers across Russia must cease their activities, with staff ordered to depart the country by the specified date. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned that Germany anticipates further hybrid attacks from Russia.