Russia closes German consulate general in Saint Petersburg

Germany has to close its consulate general in Saint Petersburg. The Russian state news agencies RIA and Tass report this unanimously.

Both refer to the Russian Foreign Ministry. According to Tass, Russia is withdrawing its consent to the operation of the German Consulate General in Saint Petersburg. It must cease operations by September 18th at the latest.

Russia has also closed all Goethe Institutes there and asked employees to leave the country by September 13th at the latest.

After lengthy investigations, the German government blamed Russia for the attempted drone attack on the airport on September 1st. On August 4th, a drone filled with explosives was found next to a Ukrainian cargo plane. The federal government then ordered, among other things, the closure of the last remaining Russian consulate general in Germany and a Russian cultural center in Berlin.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, known for his harsh choice of words, then further escalated the tone in the confrontation with the West. The accusations made against Moscow that Russia was responsible for the drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport are "basically the beginning of a real war," Lavrov said on Sunday, according to the state news agency Tass.

»All of Merz's statements about making Germany the leading military power in Europe again - they are being put into action. He is effectively declaring war on us,” Lavrov said on Sunday

The federal government and other Western countries have long accused Russia of waging a hybrid war against them. Disinformation campaigns, attacks and murders on behalf of Russia are seen as elements. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Since then, Germany and other European states have been supporting Ukraine in its defensive battle.

Also read: The federal government unusually quickly and clearly blamed Russia for the drone attack in Leipzig. Where does the sudden determination come from? The SPIEGEL reconstruction.