Russia singled out for drone incident in Leipzig - ambassador summoned

Russia is responsible for the drone incident at Leipzig airport in August, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Tuesday. The drone was discovered with an explosive device at the airport in Leipzig, which is used both for commercial flights and as a hub for NATO.

According to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), Sweden has fully supported Germany's response measures.

According to Kristersson, the government assesses that the events in Leipzig should be seen as part of a pattern of increasingly careless and intensified Russian hybrid activities.

"The purpose of the Russian action is to undermine Europe's support for Ukraine, increase the pressure on our societies and create division and fear. Russia will not succeed," writes Kristersson on X.

"It happens during the day"

On Wednesday, Russia's ambassador will be summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm, says Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) ahead of the EU's meeting of foreign ministers in Dublin.

- It takes place during the day, but I cannot specify the exact time, she says.

Also at the end of May, the Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador in Stockholm, then to mark against extensive Russian attacks on civilians and civil infrastructure in Ukraine.

Kristersson: Wants to create fear

On Wednesday morning, the National Security Council held an extraordinary meeting due to the incident.

At the meeting, among others, Must and the Security Police should have given their view of the Russian hybrid threat to Sweden, states Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) in a written comment after the meeting.

According to Kristersson, the government is "resolutely committed" to "countering Russia" and "strengthening our security and defense".

"The government's assessment is that the events in Leipzig should be seen as part of a pattern of intensified Russian hybrid activities, characterized by increasing risk-taking and carelessness," writes Ulf Kristersson.