On September 1, Germany had accused Russia of orchestrating a drone attack.

They stated that their investigation had found Russia responsible for the August 4 incident, in which an explosive-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at the airport.

German interior minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed that the drone configuration, components, explosives, and detonation systems matched patterns from previous Russian hybrid operations.

Calling the latest escalation “by and large, the start of a real war”, Lavrov said Germany “wants war again”, drawing a comparison with the period before World War II.

" All these statements by Merz about making Germany the leading military power ⁠in Europe ‌once again – they are being put into practice.

The dispute has further strained ties between the two countries, with Moscow and Berlin closing each other’s cultural institutions and European countries summoning Russian envoys.