Germany blames Russia for Leipzig drone attack; explosive devices found near power plant

On a Tuesday morning in early September, police in Brandenburg discovered several homemade explosive devices near an electrical substation in Turnow-Preilack, a town southeast of Berlin. The devices—some resembling small rockets, others still unexploded—had been found near infrastructure that distributes power from the Jänschwalde power plant across the eastern German region. There was a brief power cut, but grid operator 50Hertz confirmed that all lines were restored and the broader electricity supply was never compromised. No one was injured. Bomb disposal experts secured the scene as investigators took over the case.

The timing of the discovery was not incidental. Just hours before police announced the findings, Germany's government formally blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport on August 4, when authorities had discovered an explosives-laden drone in the security area near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told reporters that Russia was "responsible" for what he called a "hybrid attack"—part of a longer pattern of destabilization operations targeting Europe. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, speaking from Algiers where he was meeting with North African energy officials, said Germany would respond in a "measured, yet resolute manner," coordinated closely with the European Union and NATO. The government also vowed to continue supporting Ukraine's defensive efforts against Russian aggression.

The substation attack fit a troubling sequence. In January, suspected far-left extremists had set fire to high-voltage power lines near a power station in southwest Berlin, leaving 45,000 households without electricity for days. In March 2024, another group targeted an electricity pylon supplying the Tesla factory near Berlin, halting production for several days. Brandenburg State Premier Dietmar Woidke called the latest incident an "attempted attack" and warned that the "worryingly high frequency" of such incidents demanded decisive protection of critical infrastructure. The pattern suggested that Germany's power grid had become a target—whether from ideological extremists or state actors remained part of the investigative picture.

Wadephul's presence in Algeria underscored another dimension of German vulnerability: energy security. Germany's gas storage facilities were only about 50 percent full, well below the government's target of 70 percent by November. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East was adding pressure to global energy supplies. Wadephul met with Algeria's Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab to negotiate long-term gas contracts, describing Algeria as a "reliable partner" already supplying Italy and Spain. He emphasized that diversification was essential—Germany needed multiple sources of supply and resilient supply chains, particularly from neighbors and stable partners. Algeria's potential as a future supplier of green hydrogen made the relationship even more strategically important.

The government's response to the Leipzig drone attack was not limited to diplomatic statements. Media reports indicated that Berlin was preparing countermeasures against Moscow, potentially including the expulsion of Russian diplomats and the closure of Russia's consulate in Bonn. The government also announced it would terminate the lease for the so-called Russian House in Berlin, a cultural center that critics had long described as a hub for propaganda and espionage. The decision came explicitly in response to the alleged Russian involvement in the drone attack.

Wadephul's language reflected the delicate balance Germany was attempting to strike. "Germany will not be intimidated in any way," he said, while also insisting that Berlin remained "a stabilizing force in Europe, one that is always prepared to negotiate." When asked whether Germany should worry about a potential Russian counter-response, he reiterated that Moscow should understand Germany's resolve. The message was calibrated: firm enough to signal consequence, measured enough to leave room for future diplomacy.

The discoveries and accusations came as Germany faced other pressures. The IG Metall union chief warned that Volkswagen was making a "big mistake" by considering further plant closures and additional job cuts beyond the 50,000 already planned by 2030. The union leader said she would oppose any closure of plants in Emden, Zwickau, Hanover, or Audi's Neckarsulm site, arguing that the company was violating commitments made to workers in a 2024 agreement. Meanwhile, a separate crisis was unfolding in housing: Germany faced a shortage of approximately 1.4 million homes, with nearly 30 percent of renters worried they could soon no longer afford their rent. Almost 60 percent said their housing costs were already too high or had risen significantly in the past year.

The explosive devices found near the power plant remained under investigation, with authorities still working to identify the perpetrators. The incident had exposed the vulnerability of Germany's critical infrastructure to attack from multiple quarters—ideological extremists, state actors, or both. As Germany coordinated responses with allies and worked to secure alternative energy sources, the question of who was targeting its power grid, and why, remained only partially answered.