Britain has summoned Russia's senior diplomat in London after the German government blamed Moscow for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said on Thursday that Russia's Chargé d'Affaires had been summoned to condemn the incident “in the strongest terms”, with the UK declaring its full solidarity with Germany.
The move follows Berlin's conclusion that Russia was responsible for the attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on 4 August. Russia has denied involvement and described the allegations as fabricated.
UK summons Russian Chargé d'Affaires
Announcing the diplomatic action on 3 September, an FCDO spokesperson said the UK stood in “full solidarity” with Germany and described the Leipzig incident as an “egregious and reckless attack”.
The Foreign Office said Britain's commitment to defending its NATO allies and supporting Ukraine remained “ironclad”. It also characterised the incident as part of what it called a wider pattern of attempts by the Russian state to undermine collective European security.
The spokesperson said the Russian Chargé d'Affaires had therefore been summoned to underline Britain's condemnation and that the UK would continue working with European and NATO partners to expose hostile Russian activity.
Germany says Russia was responsible
The British intervention comes after the German government formally attributed the attempted attack to Russia.
The incident occurred at Leipzig/Halle Airport on 4 August, when authorities discovered a drone close to a Ukrainian aircraft. The device was defused after both airport runways were closed.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the government had concluded that Russia was responsible and argued that the incident formed part of a broader pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe.
German officials said the device demonstrated a high degree of technical expertise while alleging that lower-level agents had carried out the operation on behalf of Russian state entities.
The attribution represents Germany's assessment of the incident. Russia has categorically rejected the accusation.
Russia denies allegations
Russia has denied responsibility for the Leipzig incident and rejected Britain's decision to summon its senior diplomat.
Reuters reported that the Russian Embassy in London described the accusations as unsubstantiated and said the British summons formed part of what it called a “co-ordinated provocation”.
The embassy also warned that further measures by Britain or other European countries would receive what it described as an adequate and calibrated response.
The Russian denial means responsibility for the attempted attack remains disputed between Moscow and the governments publicly attributing it to Russia.
Drone found near Ukrainian aircraft
Leipzig/Halle Airport is an important German cargo hub. According to reports of the German investigation, the drone discovered in August was carrying explosives and was found close to a Ukrainian cargo aircraft.
Authorities were able to secure the device before it detonated, but the discovery led to the temporary closure of both runways.
Germany subsequently summoned the Russian ambassador and announced diplomatic measures of its own after publicly attributing responsibility to Moscow.
Britain points to wider security threat
The UK's response places the Leipzig incident within the broader security confrontation between Russia and European NATO members since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
European governments have repeatedly accused Russia of conducting or sponsoring hybrid operations including sabotage, cyber attacks, disinformation and interference with critical infrastructure. Moscow has denied many such allegations.
For Britain, the diplomatic summons is intended both as a protest over the specific Leipzig incident and as a public demonstration of support for Germany.
The Foreign Office said attempts to undermine the unity of Ukraine's allies would be futile and promised continued cooperation with NATO and European partners.
Ukraine high on UK's European agenda
The dispute comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosts French President Emmanuel Macron in Downing Street, with support for Ukraine among the issues on the agenda.
Downing Street said ahead of the meeting that the two leaders were expected to discuss how Europe could step up support for Ukraine going into the winter.
The Government has continued to present Britain's security relationship with European allies as central to its foreign policy, while maintaining military and diplomatic support for Kyiv.