Kallas Summons Russia's Representative in the EU

In connection with the incident involving an explosive drone at Leipzig Airport, which German authorities have classified as an attempt by Moscow to carry out a diversion, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kallas, summoned the acting permanent representative of the Russian Federation to the EU, Karen Malayan, on September 2.

"The attacks in Leipzig bear all the signs of state-sponsored terrorism. We will respond decisively. We are currently working to include 1,600 items related to the Russian defense industry in the sanctions list and are prepared to expand that list," Kallas announced on her social media page.

Earlier, it was reported that Kallas intends to discuss further actions related to the Russian diversion in Leipzig with the foreign ministers of EU countries. She has called for strengthening sanctions against Moscow at the EU level, particularly measures against the Russian 'shadow fleet.'

On August 4, an attempt at diversion took place at Leipzig Airport against a Ukrainian An-124 cargo plane. Media outlets, citing German investigative authorities, reported that several drones were allegedly involved in the attack. One explosive UAV was discovered near several Ukrainian cargo planes, while the second probably collided with a DHL cargo plane just minutes after the first was found.

On September 1, Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated at a press conference that German authorities hold Russia responsible for the drone incident at Leipzig Airport and warned of the possibility of new hybrid attacks.

On September 1, the Russian ambassador Sergei Nechaev was summoned to Germany's Foreign Ministry. There he was issued a complaint regarding Moscow's involvement in the drone attack on August 4 at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The diplomat denied the accusations.