Moscow: A failed attempt to seize building owns by Russia in German city
Six unknown assailants tried to seize a Russian government-owned building in the city of Leipzig on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday, adding that it would file a formal complaint.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the six people climbed the fence of a building that was the headquarters of a Russian consulate, then the balcony of the building where they put up anti-Russian signs, and said they would seize the property.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said two Russian embassy staff were inside the building and contacted police, who arrested the group.
The statement added, “the Russian Foreign Ministry would file a complaint with the German government demanding that they be punished”.
Leipzig police said six protesters scaled the fence and hung a banner referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the balcony, before calling police who took them away.
Police said six German citizens were currently being investigated on suspicion of trespassing.
Germany recalled its ambassador to Russia this week after Berlin accused Moscow of digital attacks on its defense and aerospace companies, as well as the country’s ruling party.
Tensions between Moscow and Berlin have risen after what is likely an audio recording of secret military talks between Bundeswehr officers over the war in Ukraine went viral.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian Security Council, said at the beginning of March that Germany was preparing for war with Moscow.
Commenting on audio leaks of German officers talking among themselves about the possibility of hitting the Crimean bridge with German Taurus missiles as part of Berlin’s support for Kiev, Medvedev said, “No one knows whether German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is aware of these audio recordings or not”.
