Finland has summoned Russia’s ambassador in Helsinki after Germany accused Moscow of involvement in an attempted drone attack at Leipzig-Halle airport, as an investigation into two suspects produced links to Finnish authorities’ records.
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Finland supported German efforts to increase pressure on Russia over the case. Several other EU states have also summoned Russian diplomats.
The case concerns an explosive-laden drone found near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig-Halle airport in early August. German authorities have said intelligence gathered by Germany and partner countries points to Russian involvement.
Russia denies responsibility and has rejected Germany’s allegations.
Russia’s ambassador to Finland, Pavel Kuznetsov, attended the Finnish Foreign Ministry on Wednesday. Russian state news agency Ria Novosti reported that Kuznetsov told Finnish officials he hoped Finland would prevent what he described as similar “provocations” from taking place on its territory.
Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden have also summoned Russian representatives over the case. The European Union summoned Russia’s ambassador in Brussels.
German investigators have identified two suspects, according to a joint investigation by German public broadcasters NDR and WDR, and newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. The newspaper said one is a Russian-born man who holds a Latvian passport. The second is a Belarus-born man with a Russian passport.
According to the report, investigators traced the Belarus-born suspect through DNA evidence found on the drone and an antenna. Checks then produced database matches in Lithuania and Finland.
The newspaper did not identify the Finnish database or explain the nature of the records. It reported that authorities in several countries knew of the man in connection with earlier criminal cases.
Süddeutsche Zeitung also reported that the Latvian passport holder is suspected of having links to Russian intelligence. Investigators believe he entered Germany and later left through Berlin airport. The Belarus-born suspect is thought to have entered on an Italian tourist visa.
German media have reported that investigators are examining the possibility that at least three drones were involved.
The Leipzig-Halle airport serves as a cargo hub and supports military transport operations for Germany and NATO. Ukrainian cargo carrier Antonov Airlines also operates from the airport.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt initially said a state actor was a possible source of the operation. He said on Tuesday that findings from German intelligence agencies and partner countries pointed towards Russian involvement.
Germany has since announced measures against Russia, including tighter entry controls for Russian citizens. Berlin also plans to seek EU sanctions against additional Russian individuals over suspected hybrid operations.
Russia responded on Wednesday by summoning Germany’s chargé d’affaires and describing Berlin’s allegations as fabricated.
German authorities are separately investigating damage to power lines in Brandenburg following an explosion on Tuesday. Authorities are also examining another infrastructure incident in Bergheim in western Germany.
HT