Russian intelligence claims NATO allies found no Russian link to Leipzig drone plot

Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said Tuesday that intelligence agencies in NATO countries found no evidence of Moscow's involvement in an attempted August drone attack at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport.

In a statement on Telegram, the SVR claimed Western intelligence services had privately reached conclusions at odds with Germany's public accusations against Russia.

“Many in the West are only pretending to believe the German leadership,” the agency said. “In public, the allies broadcast ‘full solidarity’ with Berlin, which has allegedly become a ‘victim of Russian provocation.’ However, ‘behind the scenes,’ everything looks completely different."

The SVR said that NATO intelligence services, after examining the circumstances of the incident, informed their governments that there was not “even the slightest evidence of Russia's involvement.”

“On the contrary, numerous signs of a ‘Ukrainian trace’ were pointed out. Government agencies were advised to refrain from categorical, and especially public, statements about Moscow's guilt,” it said.

Germany has blamed Russia for the Aug. 4 incident, when an explosives-laden drone was discovered near Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The drone failed to explode and was safely defused.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said earlier this month that the attack followed what he described as a “well-established pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe.”

The SVR accused Berlin of blaming Moscow to justify increased defense spending in its 2027 budget.

The agency also linked the dispute to German domestic politics, pointing to the Sept. 6 election in Saxony-Anhalt and upcoming elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also rejected Germany's allegations, accusing Berlin of planting evidence to blame Moscow for the attack.