Russia closes German consulate in St Petersburg after drone dispute

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 18:34Russia 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 center 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.German cultural institutes in Russia must cease activitiesIt also confirmed that Germany's Goethe-Institut cultural centers 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," Russia's Foreign Ministry said.Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, September 5, 2026; illustrative. (credit: SPUTNIK/GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL VIA REUTERS)"The German government bears full and complete responsibility for the consequences," it added.Follow us on Google