Russia orders closure of German consulate in St Petersburg in tit-for-tat move

Moscow's move comes in retaliation for Berlin shutting Russia's consulate in Bonn and Russian House cultural centre following an alleged Russian drone attack at Leipzig airport Russia on Monday ordered the closure of Germany's consulate in St. Petersburg, escalating a diplomatic dispute between the two countries following an attempted drone attack in Leipzig that Berlin has blamed on Moscow. According to the Associated Press, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the German consulate must cease operations and its staff must leave the country by September 18. Moscow also reaffirmed its earlier decision to shut the German Goethe-Institut cultural centres in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Employees of the institutions have been ordered to leave Russia by Sunday. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the measures were in retaliation for Germany's 'unfriendly' decision last Wednesday to close Russia's consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin. Advertisement Germany has accused Russia of being behind an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4, after an explosives-laden drone was discovered near a Ukrainian aircraft. Leipzig/Halle is a major international freight hub that is also used to support Ukraine. The drone was subsequently defused. Moscow has denied any role in the incident, calling it a provocation. "It was the German authorities who once again provoked a new round of escalation in bilateral relations," AP quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying. More from World More from World "All responsibility for the consequences lies entirely with the German government," The latest measures come amid broader tensions between Russia and Western countries over the war in Ukraine. Western officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of carrying out sabotage and disruption campaigns across Europe aimed at weakening support for Ukraine and destabilising European countries. Russia has rejected those allegations. With inputs from agencies