Russia closes German consulate in St Petersburg after drone spat

September 7, 2026 10:05 AM EDT

A person walks past the German Consulate General in Saint Petersburg, Russia September 2, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Dmitry Vasilyev

MOSCOW, Sept ‌7 (Reuters) - Russia ​said ​on Monday it was closing down the German Consulate-General ‌in St. Petersburg in retaliation ⁠for Berlin's decision to close the Russian consulate ‌in Bonn and ‌a Russian cultural centre in Berlin.

Germany took its own measures after accusing ​Moscow of an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, an ⁠allegation Russia called an absurd fabrication.

The Russian Foreign ​Ministry said in a statement that the German consulate in St. ​Petersburg must cease ‌operations no later than September 18.

It also confirmed that ⁠Germany's Goethe-Institut cultural centres in Russia must cease their activities, with staff ordered ⁠to leave the country by September 13 ​at the latest.

"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," ‌Russia's Foreign ​Ministry said.

(Reporting by Marina BobrovaWriting by Maxim RodionovEditing by Andrew ‌Osborn )



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