Russia to close German consulate in St. Petersburg and Goethe Institute branches

Russia's Foreign Ministry has officially announced measures it describes as a response to Germany's actions following an attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, which Berlin blamed on Russia.

According to Yevropeiska Pravda, citing the press service of Russia's Foreign Ministry, Germany's acting chargé d'affaires in Moscow was informed that Russia is closing Germany's consulate general in St. Petersburg. The office must cease operations no later than September 18, and all its staff must leave Russian territory by that date, the ministry said.

In addition, Russia announced the closure of Goethe Institute cultural centers operating in the country. Staff at all branches must leave Russia no later than September 13. Corresponding diplomatic notes were handed to the head of Germany's diplomatic mission in Moscow.

Russia's justification

The Russian ministry said the decisions were made "in connection with unfriendly actions by the German side" — namely the closure of Russia's consulate general in Bonn and the Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin.

It should be recalled that Berlin resorted to these diplomatic measures after officially announcing Russia's direct involvement in a hybrid attack at Leipzig airport in early August. On August 4, an explosive-laden drone was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane that had been used to transport military cargo.