Russia to shut German cultural centers in retaliation over drone strike accusation

Russia has decided to close Goethe-Institut branches on its territory, retaliating against Germany's decision to blame Moscow for last month's drone strike on Leipzig-Halle Airport.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced the closures Thursday (local time), citing growing tensions with Europe, according to AP.

The affected branches are located in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.

European nations have long suspected Russia of carrying out sabotage operations as part of a hybrid strategy to find leverage amid the prolonged war in Ukraine. The drone strike at Leipzig-Halle Airport fit that pattern, and Germany was quick to point the finger at Moscow.

Germany had already closed a Russian consulate and terminated the lease of a Russian cultural center in Berlin.

Poland, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Lithuania summoned Russian diplomats over the matter. Norway, acting on a request from a Ukrainian state energy company, seized a Russian vessel in the Arctic Svalbard archipelago.

Russia had already pushed back sharply against Germany's accusations, dismissing them as fabrications.

According to Russia's state-run Tass news agency, President Vladimir Putin, responding to reporters' questions, said Germany needed to explain its actions and pointed to the weakening political standing of Chancellor Friedrich Merz at home.

"Given that approval ratings are falling and elections are approaching, I think the question of the political future of Germany's ruling elite is the main relevant factor," Putin said. "I think this is another mistake, a serious mistake. In my view, it clearly runs counter to the interests of the German people."

However, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Germany had presented clear evidence of a Russian hybrid attack.

Rutte wrote on X that NATO "will continue to strengthen its ability to defend all allies against any threat," adding that "Russia's attempts to undermine our unity and our resolve to support Ukraine are futile and will fail."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also warned that hybrid attacks "will not go unanswered," signaling that EU-level sanctions could follow.