Expulsion orders and deadlines

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on September 7, 2026, that it has revoked its consent for the operation of Germany's Consulate-General in St. Petersburg. The diplomatic mission must cease all official activities no later than September 18, 2026, and all assigned personnel are required to leave the country by that deadline. In parallel, Moscow confirmed the mandatory shutdown of all Goethe-Institut cultural branches in the Russian Federation, which includes locations in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and regional centres. Employees of the German cultural organization have been given until September 13, 2026, to depart the country. Consular and diplomatic services at the German Embassy in Moscow will continue to operate despite the closure of the regional mission in the northwest.

Retaliation for Berlin measures

The Russian measures represent direct retaliation for diplomatic penalties imposed by Berlin during the previous week. The German government ordered the closure of Russia's Consulate-General in Bonn, which served as Russia's final remaining consulate in Germany, along with the Russian House cultural centre located in Berlin. Berlin initiated those shutdowns following a four-week investigation into a failed security attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4, 2026. During that incident, an unmanned aerial vehicle loaded with explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian transport aircraft. Security specialists successfully deactivated the device before it could detonate, resulting in no physical damage or casualties at the airfield.

Diplomatic rhetoric and accusations

Russian officials denied any involvement in the Leipzig incident, describing the claims as an unfounded provocation. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the German charge d'affaires and released an official statement criticizing the punitive measures taken by the German government.

“It was the German authorities who, once again, provoked a new round of escalation in bilateral relations. The German government bears full and complete responsibility for the consequences.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the German actions as a serious mistake and asserted that the evidence regarding the drone had been planted. Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov denounced the measures during public remarks, claiming the dispute marked the beginning of a real war and drawing parallels to the international conditions that preceded World War II.

Broader context of bilateral relations

Leipzig/Halle Airport serves as an international freight hub and a strategic logistics base for the German armed forces, NATO, and logistical supply efforts assisting Ukraine. Western intelligence services and government officials have stated that Germany and other European countries have become targets for Russian sabotage and destabilization operations intended to weaken assistance for Kyiv. Relations between Berlin and Moscow have deteriorated continuously since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. According to the German Foreign Ministry, Germany has allocated more than $50 billion in civilian assistance alongside nearly $67 billion in military aid to support Ukraine.